Young's Tavern's Rich History
Before they became the Young’s Tavern Apartments, the building located at 12 Pleasant Street right across from the Garden on the Bridge had a long and interesting history. The Powder Mill located in Willimantic had been sending out large supplies to the Continental Army and required a lot of workers. These workers needed some entertainment, thus David Young was ordered to open a house for public entertainment in the mid 1770’s. Young’s Tavern was born. There have been many add ons to the building ever since, and the building has served multiple purposes throughout its history in Willimantic.
In 1825, the brick building became known as Hebard’s Tavern. Guy Hebard had built an impressive Federal-Style addition, including a ballroom. This attracted many visitors and made the building extremely popular around the town due to the many events it hosted. Fourth of July celebrations were held there, dancing schools, balls, whatever you could think of was most likely hosted by Hebard’s Tavern. The tavern was also known for it’s delicious dinners, made by none other than Guy Hebard’s wife, “Mother Hebard''. Fourth of July parties were a specialty at the tavern. Guy Hebard would call the men of town to come and help him prepare the punch and lemonade for the festivities, a crowd favorite. While Mother Hebard would call upon the ladies of the community to prepare one of the largest feasts ever seen in the state.
In 1828 it housed a military company known as the 2nd Rifle Co. captained by Henry Hall. This was a prestigious military company, “One of the best in the Regiment in its drills and deportment,” according to the Hartford Chronicle. This military company was also ordered to Brooklyn to protect the sheriff in the last public execution in the state. While staying in the tavern, the men of 2nd Rifle Co. were entertained by the women of Willimantic, who had much pride for their prestigious record. The building also housed Willimantic’s first post office for a short while.
After the death of Guy Hebard his wife and son Gordon Hebard managed it. It remained Hebard’s Tavern up until the 1840’s when Guy Hebard’s son had decided to bring their business elsewhere. At which time the building became known as the Natchaug House, Willimantic’s first hotel. After a while it was bought by Eugene S. Boss and Dwight E. Potter in 1882, with the intention to build tenement houses. Soon the building became abandoned. The building had deteriorated quite severely. After time the historic building was restored for a while to be known as the Riverside Hotel according to the Willimantic Chronicle. After a while the building was abandoned again, until it was then restored by David Morse and used as apartment buildings. This is the Young’s Tavern Apartments that occupy the building today.