NORTHBOROUGH – Northborough’s location along Boston Post Road, and eventually along railroad lines, necessitated the presence of taverns and inns to accommodate travelers and coaches delivering mail and goods.
From the mid-1700s, when Northborough hadn’t incorporated, to the 1940s, Northborough had several taverns and inns that served many different purposes while in operation. The oldest one is the Captain James Eager Tavern, which dates to the 1740s and was situated at 112 West Main Street, where Alliance Care at Coleman is currently located. It was likely run as a tavern for at least 10 years.
Another tavern that took many different names and forms over the years started as the Martyn Tavern. Located in the center of town and owned by the son of Northborough’s first minister, John Martyn Jr., it was operated between 1768 and 1792 and was the predecessor of the Monroe Tavern. Future president John Adams dined there on May 31, 1771. The tavern was likely a few rooms in a private home…