In about 1838, they moved to Michigan and likely leased the inn and tavern located across the road from this site from the owner, Calvin Snell.

Although the Chicago Road saw a decrease in traffic due to the construction of railroad lines in southern Michigan, the Walkers were likely able to stay in business thanks to their taproom, which catered to residents.

He eventually received a degree in theology from Huron College in 1899, and took a position at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Detroit, staying until 1905.

Hewitt was charismatic and a skilled orator, and made numerous friends; among them were Alex J. Groesbeck, who went on to become governor of Michigan, and auto magnate Henry Ford.

He refurbished the hotel and continued to rent out rooms and run a restaurant on the premises, but he also added an antique shop to the building.

In 1926, Chicago Road had been paved, drawing an influx of tourists, and Hewitt realized that the antiques business was a sufficient money-maker.

Here, his influential friends paid off, as both Alex Groesbeck and Henry Ford visited the antique store regularly, with the latter purchasing many items for his Greenfield Village museum.

Other clients included University of Michigan football coach Fielding Yost (as well as other UM faculty), and the wife of the poet Robert Frost.

[2] In the mid-2000s, it was purchased by Tom Lee, who restored it to operate as a wedding and event center known as the Brick Walker Tavern.

[3] S. Walker's Hotel is a three-story, side-gable building with a symmetrical five-bay front facade with a center entrance, displaying both Greek Revival and Italianate architectural elements.

[2] The building is set very close to the highway, and upon a slight rise, with a concrete retaining wall supporting the hillock.