Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 198, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 August 1918 — OLD TAVERN RAZED [ARTICLE]

OLD TAVERN RAZED

Built in 1740, Twice Had George Washington as Guest Watertown's Historic Structure, Scene of Recent Accident, Soon to be , Only a Memory.

The famous old tavern on Galen street, Watertown, near the entrance to the barns of the Boston elevated railway, is being torn down, to make a better and more roomy entrance, says the Boston Globe. The place was known as the Dorothy Coolidge tavern. It was built in 1740 by William Williams, a shipbuilder. Later it became the property of Nathaniel Coolidge, who established a tavern, which he conducted up to the time of his death in 1770. tJpon the death of Mr. Coolidge the tavern was conducted by his widow, Dorothy Whitney Coolidge. Washington made two visits to the tavern, the first time in July, 1775, while on his way to Boston. After he became president he again came to the tavern and he remained over night. Mrs. Coolidge was noted for the excellence of her johnnycake, and it is recorded that Washington partook of some and highly praised the cake and its maker. The tavern was a popular resort for American and British officers, and on the morning of the battle of Lexington it is recorded that Mrs. Whitney fed the volunteers. The Massachuetts legislators often met here and in 1775 the safety committee made its headquarters at the tavern. In the early days of the place a signboard bearing a likeness of George ITT hung over the entrance to the main door. Later this was changed for a portrait of George Washington. The property was acquired by the Boston elevated railway several years ago. There was an announcement made by the company many years ago of their intention of tearing the building down, but members of the Watertown Historical society, and others prominent in the affairs of the town, prevailed upon the officials to save the place because of its historical value. The protest was heeded, but the time has come for the building to go, and before long the famous old landmark will be only a thing of the past. The building stood so close to the tracks of the railway that there was a continual source of danger. Only recently a car jumped the tracks at the entrance to the barn and three men were jammed against the side of the tavern in such a manner that a portion of the ell had to be cut away before the men could be released. It was this accident, it is believed, that hastened the action of the company.