In 1835, two years before Michigan became a state, the Old Tavern Inn began to serve as a stagecoach stop and overnight inn, serving food and drink in Sumnerville, a village along the then-stagecoach route between Chicago and Detroit.
Stagecoaches eventually ceased running, but by then a town had grown up around the tavern, and it became a meeting place, not only for the citizens of Sumnerville, but for the nearby communities of Berrien Springs, Niles, Cassopolis and Dowagiac.  Town meetings and dances alike were held in the Old Tavern Inn.
The story of the Old Tavern Inn is, in many ways, the story of every tavern–and of every town. The two went hand-in-hand in the development of this country.  In the early- to mid-1800s, as the United States was growing, the local tavern was the central meeting place for citizens of the town, and no town grew without one.
“Every town had taverns,” said Bob Meyers, of the Berrien County Historical Association in Berrien Springs. “They were one of the first businesses established in a town.”
According to Meyers, taverns did much more than serve liquor —though liquor was certainly a mainstay.
“In some areas of the country, a man was considered a moderate drinker if he consumed no more than a quart of whisky a day,” said Meyers.
But the taverns also served cheap, often free, food. The food was heavily salted to encourage the purchase of more beer or whisky. The taverns of the 19th century were important in other ways.
The tavern was the news hub of the day.  Newspapers were available for reading — and discussing. And, taverns were especially valuable to working class folk who did not have access to the country clubs of the wealthy.
“For the working man, the tavern was the place where he could go and it was warm,” said Meyers.  “You could sit and talk, drink, smoke.  You could buy a nickel beer and have a sandwich, and sit in a warm place and discuss matters of the day and politics.”
Politicians understood the importance of the tavern. As they toured the country campaigning, they would visit the taverns and buy rounds of drinks for all inside.
Sumnerville’s Old Tavern Inn surely witnessed such goings on —and more — as it served its corner of southwest Michigan. The stories it might tell!
More than 175 years after its start, the old inn still stands, is still gathering stories, and is still serving its community. The State Historical Society and the State Chamber of Commerce presented the inn with a plaque recognizing it as the “oldest business in Michigan.” Six years ago, Val and Jeff Gaideskis purchased the Old Tavern Inn and made it their full-time job.
“It’s an old, old building,” said Jeff.  “It takes a lot to maintain it, but I’m proud of it.”
According to Meyers, the Old Tavern Inn is a “neat old Greek Revival tavern.” “It’s been considerably altered,” he said.
That is for sure! The building has been sided, added onto and even pivoted 90 degrees. (As the story goes, the road made a sharp turn that many people missed. They would then end up in the tavern. After a particularly gruesome incident involving the cargo of a hearse, the then-owner took decisive action and rotated the building so the entrance faced south instead of west.)
Not much remains of the original stagecoach stop —some wooden beams and vertical supports in the basement is about it—but its spirit remains.
“It’s still a cozy place,” Jeff said.  “I’m proud to have the oldest continuously run business in Michigan.”
The Gaideskis have added a few improvements to the place, and some personal touches here and there, but have mostly left the tavern the same as they got it.
“We have books here, and pictures (about the history). I think people like coming to that atmosphere.”
And, why has the Old Tavern Inn sustained while so many like it have been lost?
Jeff credits the community.
“It has a lot to do with our local residents,” he said. “They appreciate our good food and our hospitality.”
He hopes to keep it that way —and to be able to pass it to someone else on down the line. While most pioneer taverns have disappeared, new ones have sprung up to fill their spaces.
“Every town had one (a tavern),” said Meyers, “and we still do.  And, it serves the same function. It’s a place where you can go and you can sit and you can talk.”