Family Ownership Since 1860

The Junction Railroad which served the community from Shelbyville to Knightstown in 1849 was a 25 mile stretch of wooden rails with strap iron bolted to the top surfaces. When the old railroad was abandoned in 1858, the farmers' grain elevator became useless. The building was converted into the Old Davis Tavern and two years later, was purchased and operated by Mr. Thomas Rogers, great-great grandfather of Mrs. Lyle O. (Mildred) Taylor.

Upon Mr. Rogers' death in 1885, the tavern was re-named and operated by his heirs as The Valley House. A big porch and a salesman's sample room were added and in 1896 it advertised in the Morristown Sun, "13 well ventilated rooms."

In 1923, ownership passed to Mrs. Robert (Muriel) Vredenburg, Mrs. Taylor's mother, who changed the name to Kopper Kettle Inn and discontinued the hotel operation.

Mrs. Vredenburg always wanted to operate a tea room and on a trip east had purchased an assortment of antique copper kettles which she thought would be a novel attraction. That explains the name. But in her travels she acquired, also, many exquisite antiques and art treasures - early American, European, and Asian - many of which are now integral to the decor of the Kopper Kettle Inn. In fact, almost every piece of furniture in the restaurant is antique.

Mrs. Vredenburg died in 1972. The cherished reputation of the Kopper Kettle Inn is a responsibility which Mildred Taylor assumed with the same dedication that distinguished four prior generations of family ownership.

In November, 1997, Leigh and Kristi Langkabel joined Millie Taylor and the Kopper Kettle Inn family. Leigh and Kristi have married the vintage charm and cherish the tradition, history and ambiance of the Kopper Kettle Inn.

Dear Friends,

We consider all our guests VIP. We hope you will sign the register in the lobby as did James Whitcomb Riley, Henry Ford, Doris Duke, Wendell Willkie, Herbert Hoover, Charles Lindbergh, and Richard Lugar. Also registered are Jane Pauley, Garry Trudeau, and Rosemary Clooney; and many others. It's an experience worth waiting for.

Sincerely,

Leigh and Kristi Langkabel