Lemon House

A stone tavern that sat along the Portage Railroad

NPS

Quick Facts

Amenities

6 listed

Accessible Rooms, Automated External Defibrillator (AED), Benches/Seating, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Information, Wheelchair Accessible

This is the famous Lemon House, one of the finest establishments along the Portage Railroad in the 1830s and 40s. It is the original structure and has been restored by the National Park Service to what it would have looked like around 1840. This tavern was operated by Sam and Jean Lemon and provided food and drink to the travelers and workers of the Portage Railroad. Though the structure appears very large, overnight guests were not a frequent occurrence. The building was constructed large enough to contain the tavern business, plus upstairs living quarters for the Lemon family and their many employees. Similar businesses sprouted near to all 10 inclines of the Portage because of the delay in travel caused by the slow inclines. In addition to this tavern, the Lemons also operated a coal mine, sold stone, wood, and water to the state-run Portage Railroad, and leased horses to pull rail cars in and out of the Engine House. The Lemon’s business interests led them to become one of the wealthiest families in the area. The Lemon House is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Please come in and have a look around the restored and furnished first floor.