First Barney Tavern, built in 1833. From: Everts, L. H. & Co. History of Calhoun County, Michigan... Philadelphia: Everts, 1877. "Touching this gentleman, we quote verbatim from A. D. P. Van Buren: 'Of this pioneer tavern-keeper of Battle Creek the people retain kindly recollections. it would be very difficult to find two words more inseparably connected with the memory of the early days of Battle Creek than these old familiar words 'Barney's Tavern.' The old log hostelry on the hill, just west of the creek, and the kind-hearted old landlord, whose hospitality has been extended to so many emigrants and travelers during the settlement of this part of the State, will be long remembered. Nathaniel Barney and his family came from Chautauqua county, New York, arriving at Battle Creek March 9, 1833. He and his son-in-law, General Ezra Convis, were two of the original propretors of Battle Creek. He was made postmaster of the new town in 1834. He also, at an early day, carried the mail from Marshall, by way of Gull prairie, to Kalamazoo. After keeping tavern for a number of years in the old log building near the creek he settled down two miles northwest, and there was landlord and farmer also. At this time he died, October 18, 1856. His sons, Milton and Oliver, yet live near the old homestead, in Bedford Township."