Port Royal in Montgomery County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Tavern, Inn & General Store
ca. 1797 - ca. 1825
Photographed by Tom Bosse, October 2, 2026
1. Tavern, Inn & General Store Marker
Jonathan Stephenson, a Methodist minister and town commissioner was the first to have a small store here. In 1802 the first location of the Port Royal post office was in this building. In 1803, Stephenson sold the building to John Baker. Baker ran the store and post office until 1807 when he sold the building to Luke Dillard. Dillard opened an Inn and Tavern and lived in the same building. Baker remained his partner for several years. Luke Dillard died in 1818, and his wife Allie continued to run the Inn. The lot was sold along with three other lots in 1825 for a fraction of the original cost, indicating the building was likely catastrophically
Erected by Port Royal State Historic Park.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1802.
Location. 36° 33.225′ N, 87° 8.592′ W. Marker is in Port Royal, Tennessee, in Montgomery County. It can be reached from the intersection of Old Clarksville Springfield Road and Port Royal Road (Tennessee Road 238), on the right when traveling east. Marker is located at
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Middle Tennessee and in the Highland Rim. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Tobacco Factory (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Tobacco Factory (a few steps from this marker); R.H. Izor's House (within shouting distance of this marker); Baseball at Port Royal (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Port Royal (within shouting distance of this marker); The Town of Port Royal (within shouting distance of this marker); Port Royal (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Masonic Lodge & General Store
Photographed by Tom Bosse, October 2, 2026
2. Tavern, Inn & General Store Marker
More about this marker. The marker text was left unfinished.
Also see . . . Port Royal State Park. (Submitted on October 31, 2026, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)
Photographed by Tom Bosse, October 2, 2026
3. Tavern, Inn & General Store Marker
Marker is the middle marker, against the fence.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 31, 2026, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 31, 2026, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
