THE NORTH HOUSE - Key Persons

Thomas North, son of John North, settled on the present site in 1678. After fighting the British Colonial Army in King Phillip's War, he became a "Freeman" and for his services he received from the King of England a grant of land on the East side of the Farmington River, under the mountain and North of the Hartford-Albany Turnpike. His son, Nathaniel built his home on a parcel of his fathers grant in 1757. Now a part of Avon Old Farms Inn- the foyer, lobby, Private Dining Room and other areas compris Nathaniel North's original home. Nathaniel's grandson, Isiah, Deacon of Northington Church, upon his death left his property to his son, Joseph. In 1832, Joseph North, a blacksmith in the Nod area, remodeled his shop, erecting a fine stone building, now known as the Forge Room. Joseph North's Forge Room has the longest continuously operating fireplace in the state of Connecticut. An Inn was established around 1678 across the turnpike from North's Blacksmith shop and was known as Marshall Tavern. It was here that the Hartford-Albany-Boston stagecoach stopped overnight. Passengers and horses were accommodated both at Marshall Tavern and at Joseph North's home and shop. It is rumored that both Presidents and founding fathers, George Washington and John Adams took shelter and imbibed at the North House while traveling through the area. In 1923, the North homestead became the Old Farms Inn. The property flourished as the Old Farms Inn for nearly a century as it operated as a tavern, restaurant and inn.