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From the menu at Williams Tavern Restaurant: John W. Williams
settled at Marlbrook, seven miles northeast of Washington, in
1831. There he built this house in 1832, and lived in it
until his death in 1869. Besides being a family residence,
this house served as a post office, stagecoach stop, and tavern.
Sam Williams, nephew of John Williams wrote that, "He kept what
was called in that day 'a stand' on the road - that is, he kept
open house, where, for pay, he entertained travelers, and
perhaps there was no plate between Memphis and Red River better
known. During the pioneer era in Arkansas, almost every one
living near or on the major trails and roads "entertained"
wayfarers. Beds were not expected, but something to eat
for man and beast was in great demand, and many, unable to
obtain shelter, purchased corn and provisions and camped by the
roadside. John Williams reported feeding as many as sixty
men and horses in a single night. His brothers, Daniel and
Hardin, were also in the tavern business. Hardin
operated the Cross Keys Tavern until fire destroyed it. He
then rented the Union Hotel. Both businesses were at
Fulton on the Red River. For several years, Daniel ran a
two-story hotel in Washington. Thus, a traveler could stay
three nights in a row with members of the Williams family in
three different places. The Pioneer Washington Restoration
Foundation moved the building to its present site in 1985 and
Arkansas State Parks restored it as a restaurant for visitors to
Washington and opened for business in 1986. |
