Davenport House (Franklin Township, Michigan)

Davenport House
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Michigan State Historic Site
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Location within the state of Michigan
Location	1280 Michigan Avenue Franklin Township, MI
Coordinates
Built	c.1839–1864
NRHP Reference #	72001632
Significant dates
Added to NRHP	May 4, 2007
Designated MSHS	May 18, 1971

The Davenport House is a hotel currently known as the Bauer Manor. It is located at 1280 U.S. Route 12 (known locally as Michigan Avenue) near the unincorporated community of Tipton in Franklin Township in northern Lenawee County, Michigan. Under the name Davenport House, it was designated as a Michigan State Historic State on May 18, 1971 and later listed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 4, 2007.

Located near Evans Lake and the present-day Hayes State Park, an original structure was constructed on the location at an unknown date in the 1830s. This log tavern was built by Henry Sisson, who moved from New York in 1834. The property, including the tavern, was owned by John Davenport from 1839–1864, and he continued to operate the structure as a tavern and inn for travelers along the Chicago Road in the Irish Hills area. During his ownership, Davenport replaced the original log structure with the current, larger square structure at an unknown date. The property was then owned by Henry Lancaster from 1864 through 1884 and continued operation under the name Lancaster House. Following Lancaster's ownership, the structure also served as a general store and post office for quite some time before returning to its primary function as a hotel, although it has served in part as a place for staying visitors ever since the original structure was first built.