Picture courtesy of Jim Kuntz.

In 1821 this property was a tavern, owned by William Wright. His sister, Isabel Wright conducted classes for girls in a building next to the tavern. The girls stayed at the tavern while attending classes.[Today people misunderstand "Tavern". A tavern was, in todays terms, a motel, restaurant and cocktail lounge for travelers.] The Methodist Church, in 1834, built Prairie Lawn Seminary for Girls. It was the first school of its kind west of the Mississippi. The school and all buildings were destroyed by a tornado in 1847. The church decided not to rebuild but to sell to Sylvestor and Anna Baker. Mr. Baker owned a Mercantile store in Danville, and was a state legislator.

The Bakers built a new house where the school had stood, and lived in the old tavern building until finished, in 1853. The Baker family slaves made the bricks on site. Horsehair plaster was applied directly to the bricks so they wouldn't crumble. In 1854, the Baker's contributed the land across the road for the first Montgomery County fair, but when the Civil War started, in 1861, the land was used for troop encampments. Troops also conscripted the house for their use. While waiting for food, the troops cut marks into the mantles and cabinetry.

Slaves at the Baker's. They had their own door, and slave would bring produce into the house through it, which lead to the cellar which was also directly under that room. The young slaves who served the meals had to whistle so the master would know they weren't tasting the food.

On October 14, 1864, William Anderson, known as "Bloody Bill", and his guerrillas attacked and burned to the ground the town of Danville. They sacked the mercantile for stores, and then came to the house looking for Mr. Baker. Their plan was to kill him and burn the house. The children and slaves hid out back in the corn fields [now covered by Interstate 70]; with the exception of one male slave who hid in an outbuilding. When found, Anderson "recruited" the slave. The man remained with Anderson and the guerrillas until Anderson's death. Anna Baker, and her baby, remained inside the house to greet the guerrillas. Mr. Baker was in Jefferson City seated in session. The guerrillas rode their horses through the house, and set fire to several rooms. When they left Anna tried to put out the fires. Just then, a guerrilla who had forgotten the guns they stacked up, returned and helped her extinguish the fires and told her they would not bother her again.

Of the 11 children the Bakers had, only two married, and only one had a grandchild. Emma, who married Bed Graham, son of the family who owned the land on which Graham cave is located.

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