Rite Aid Pharmacy now occupies the property of the Colonial Arms/Adirondack House.
Adirondack House, according to early records, opened in 1825 on what is now the southeast corner of Adirondack Avenue and Main Street. Alton Nelson and John McLaren initiated construction, but Edmund Richards (brother to Pelatiah Richards) completed the project and operated the hotel for several years. It passed through several hands: Alton Nelson, John McLaren, Joseph Woodward, Bradford Tubbs, Stephen Griffing, 2nd and Lewis Persons among them. Royal C. Smith acquired the House in 1867 and renamed it the Adirondack Hotel. Rebuilt several times after various fires, in 1889 and again in 1895 (when it became known as the "New Adirondack Hotel") the hotel went through many changes throughout its history. Brothers Michael and Thomas O'Connor leased in 1899, then purchased it in 1904. In 1921 upon his death Michael's interest went to his son John. The O'Connors made major renovations to both the exterior and interior and in 1939, ownership passed to Albert L. Emerson and the name was changed to Colonial Arms.
Adirondack House, according to early records, opened in 1825 on what is now the southeast corner of Adirondack Avenue and Main Street. Alton Nelson and John McLaren initiated construction, but Edmund Richards (brother to Pelatiah Richards) completed the project and operated the hotel for several years. It passed through several hands: Alton Nelson, John McLaren, Joseph Woodward, Bradford Tubbs, Stephen Griffing, 2nd and Lewis Persons among them. Royal C. Smith acquired the House in 1867 and renamed it the Adirondack Hotel. Rebuilt several times after various fires, in 1889 and again in 1895 (when it became known as the "New Adirondack Hotel") the hotel went through many changes throughout its history. Brothers Michael and Thomas O'Connor leased in 1899, then purchased it in 1904. In 1921 upon his death Michael's interest went to his son John. The O'Connors made major renovations to both the exterior and interior and in 1939, ownership passed to Albert L. Emerson and the name was changed to Colonial Arms.
The Colonial Arms. In 1939 the Adirondack Hotel was acquired by
Albert L. Emerson and renamed the Colonial Arms. Ten years later the famed
horseshoe bar was added. Five cottages, each with two units, were built
behind the hotel. Over the years, an indoor pool was installed and a separate
building for bowling alleys was constructed. The Colonial Arms hosted
many notables and celebrities, including the Robert F. Kennedy family and
Marilyn Monroe. Emerson sold to Mark and Edna Bruce who
continued the tradition of fine hospitality for both tourists and local parties
and organizations. It was subsequently owned by Jack Casey. In the1970s
separate fires destroyed the bowling alleys and swimming pool, and in 1977 the
top two floors were destroyed. The restaurant and bar were saved and operated,
first by Sal and Maria Famosi, and finally by Carmen Maciariello and Garry
Grant. In 1994 they sold to a developer, at which time the building was
demolished and replaced with a modern drug store chain, Rite Aid. The
developer agreed to maintain some aspects of the hotel’s facade, with a central
gable and reuse of the two original columns, some window parts, and the hanging
lamp.
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