Mears Tavern
Nathan Mears acquired his tavern stand, facing Elm Street, in two purchases from the Proprietors of the Canal, and later bought 27 acres not divided into small lots, south between Elm Street and the Fordway.
Mears lived at "The Corner" and his father lived on the "old Mears place" until 1807. Nathan died in 1829, leaving several minor children, and had acquired extensive holdings both at the Mills and in other parts of town. His children's guardians' deeds refer to this place as the "tavern stand".
The tavern had a large annex in the mid-to-late-1800s. The first floor was called the "People's Store" and the second floor was a banquet hall called "Middlesex Hall". Methodist ministers held gatherings here until their church was built. It hosted the wedding reception of Edward Talbot, and served as a community center for several generations.