Transparencies and Negatives Collection: Historic photographs. This may be an 1860s photo of The Tavern Hotel Building. The hotel had a long history it was built in 1823 as Rappite House No. 3. After the Rappites left this building was known as the Flower House, which was owned by George Flower, who was also one of the founders of Albion, Illinois. It was also owned by Rudd Viets, who operated the hotel during the late 1800s. The hotel caught fire and was badly burned in 1880, however it was rebuilt, and a third floor was added to the building. In 1893 the hotel changed names again becoming the Tavern Hotel, which stayed until it was closed sometime before 1943.