Martindale Tavern

[daddeeo]

This was a place on the west side of Detroit that Henry Ford went to.
Has anyone else heard of it?

[gazhekwe]

http://digitalcollections.detroitpub...ndora%3A146626

[gazhekwe]

There was another one across the River:

Six miles from the Thames is a tavern kept by a Frenchman, and seven miles from thence, near Stoney Point, is another, also kept by a Frenchman [[Chovins). As you approach Stoney Point, [[which would more appropriately be called Sandy Point, there being nothing to entitle it to the former appellation, beyond a few scattered boulders on the beach,) the land improves in quality, and the wood-land approaches the Lake. From thence the soil varies from clay to sandy loam. Twelve miles, from Chovins', you reach Martindale's tavern, kept by a Cumberland rt an. This is situated a short distance from the road, on the lake shore, .nd will generally be preferred by English travellers to the French taverns. Much of the road between Stoney Point and Martindale's runs through the bush, and is very little settled. The land is rich and heavily timbered, and consequently a great deal of the road is bad. There are a few tolerable clearings along the road; the inhabitants principally French, whose crops consist of corn and pumpkins. Several emigrants from the north of England are settled about Martindale's. Deer are said to be plentiful here, and they frequently make their appearance in the enclosures. From Martindale's to Windsor is twelve miles. From Martindale's the road runs back from the Lake, crossing the River Ruscom, Belle Riviere, and the Riviere aux Puces; it continues through the bush for about six miles
http://www.forgottenbooks.com/readbook_text/Canada_Past_Present_and_Future_Being_a_Historical_ Geographical_v1_1000601364/149

[EastsideAl]

The Martindale farm was on Grand River just south of Joy Rd. in what was then Greenfield Township. Martindale St. crosses Grand River 2 blocks south of Joy, and if you look on a map you can still see a change in street orientation where the Martindale land was before it was subdivided around the turn of the 20th century.

The Martindale family came from Ontario, so they may be related to the one cited by gazhekwe above. A son, Frederick C. Martindale, became a prominent educator, lawyer, Republican leader, state legislator, and Michigan Secretary of State. He unsuccessfully ran for governor several times. He married Mary Tireman, who grew up nearby.

The Martindale house [[tavern?) was apparently a gathering place for people from the nearby countryside. Henry Ford met his future wife Clara Bryant at a New Years Eve dance there in 1885.

http://books.google.com/books?id=HZE...indale&f=false

http://books.google.com/books?id=6ye...indale&f=false

[EastsideAl]

The tavern can be seen in this 1876 map of Greenfield Twp.

Attachment 25003

This 1904 map shows the intermixing of the Martindale and Tireman land, and some streets of the quickly encroaching city.

Attachment 25004

[daddeeo]

I know Clara Bryant's family farm was at Grand River and Greenfield.
According to the Martindale Tavern photo, it must have been right around the corner.