Historic Whitehall, NY

Historic Whitehall, NY   December 10-12, 2020 

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A little bit about Rich's hometown, Whitehall, NY located at the end of Lake Champlain’s lock system - Lock 12. It is the birthplace of the United States Navy Benedict Arnold’s Valcour Fleet, built in summer of 1776 in Skenesborough, NY (now Whitehall). This is a village full of history, though it has certainly seen better times. Up until the  late 70’s it was a bustling, thriving town with 22 bars, a gas station on every corner, JJ Newberries, 2 pharmacies, 3 grocery stores, 2 hardware stores. A lot of businesses have closed over the years and more so since the pandemic. 

The impressive Skene Manor, listed on the National Register of Historic Places as Judge Joseph Potter’s House, is a historic home located high on the hillside of Whitehall in Washington County, New York. It was built in 1874 and is a handsome Victorian style mansion built of grey sandstone quarried from its own site with a mansard roof.

State Military Armory in Whitehall built in 1899, visible from Rich's home now. It is now privately owned and used for events.

Back in the day, around 1941 a great diner was born, the Silver Diner which his grandfather established and open 24 hours/day, 365 days. No need for a key! Remodeled in 1943, Rich’s father ran it and then Rich did with a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Paul Smith’s College.

He then expanded it by adding a dining room and opening the Freight House Lounge as an add on decked with railroad motif. Rich would engrave the pewter beer mugs for the locals who frequented there. They were hung on hooks behind the bar ready for their next visit. It was 75 cents for Heinekens and 50 cents for Schlitz.

Every day glass with Freight House logo

Later, he opened another upscaled restaurant, J. R Egans, which didn’t make it in those economic times. 

Actual 7' x 4' sign now displayed in Rich's home office

Rich’s father’s (“Ekie” Frances Colomb) former home across the street from his.

Approaching From Rt 4

Potter Street front entrance 

But it is important to talk about Rich's deceased wife, Therese Egan Colomb, and her homestead which is still owned by the Colomb family. The house was built in 1865 and now stands with so many nostalgic memories blended with the newest upgrades - modern bathroom with gorgeous tile work, kitchen with more tiles, track lighting, Corian counter and soap stone as well. 

In the early years of this home, in an effort to give Tress's gramma Clute activities to keep her productive, the 3 generations of women opened a travelers lodge (Clute’s Guests) for salesmen who needed to lay their heads down for the night. There was a separate entrance to the second floor which they would enter. Doors were not locked back in those days, so it was open to those in need. Yet there was privacy and security in the layout of the rooms. The house has been added onto several times. Nooks and crannies abound throughout the house - 3 sets of stairs, pantries, laundry chutes with visions of sheets hanging on the clothes line outside waiting to be pressed with the heavy iron which rested on the hot Franklin stove.

Today, this versatile home has an apartment on the second floor now with 3 bedrooms, a kitchen area, and 2 baths. There have been interesting claims of supernatural activity in the house. Both of the Colomb children, Nora and Perry, have lived in the apartment at some point in their adult lives. So you can imagine the memories that come forth while there - certainly those of Tress fill the rooms. 

Old cherished items - a wooden telephone box, standing grandfather cuckoo clock bought at an antique store said to be from President VanBuren's family. The floors in the living room and office are the original wide plank flooring rich with old nail holes, traces of forest green paint, and markings of activities over the last 155 years. 

 

               

 

Rich’s paintings, pine needle baskets, sketches and bird houses adorn every room.  

                             

Amazing attention to details - all hand made and assembled. This is a replica of Walker’s Feed Store near by.

Do you see a common theme here? Southwestern? Thus our next journey travel camping right after Christmas - south to Tennessee, west to Texas, New Mexico, and on to Arizona to see my sister, Terri, and her husband, Jim. Hoping that when we return in Spring 2021, we will be able to see you in person…huge hugs and all. In the meantime, follow my "Apricity West" blog if you’re interested. I will continue to email you an updated link.