In the heart of Cass City, Michigan, a sturdy brick building has stood watch over Main Street for more than 140 years. Pictured in a 1916 postcard as “Gordon’s Tavern,” this structure dates back to 1883—the same year Cass City was officially incorporated as a village.

Originally known as the Cass City House, the hotel was owned and operated by J.F. Emmons, a prominent local businessman of the time. The two-story brick building, topped with a flat roof and ornate cornice, was constructed during a period of rapid growth in Michigan’s Thumb region. Its location and stature made it a key fixture in the village’s early commercial and social life.

The name “Gordon’s Tavern” appears to have emerged sometime after the turn of the century, reflecting a rebranding common for inns and lodging houses as ownership changed hands or business focus shifted toward food and spirits.

Today, this historic structure lives on as Gilligan’s Restaurant, a local favorite that blends small-town hospitality with a nod to the building’s deep roots. While modernized inside, the exterior retains the charm and dignity of its 19th-century origins—complete with its full-length second-story balcony and classic storefront symmetry.

This building is a rare example of architectural continuity in Michigan’s rural towns, linking Cass City’s frontier past with its community-driven present.