C. Burton Hotel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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C. Burton Hotel
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Front (north) elevation and west profile, 2008
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| Location | Grahamsville, NY |
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| Nearest city | Middletown |
| Built | 1851; expanded 1853 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 05000171 |
| Added to NRHP | 2005 |
The C. Burton Hotel, also known as the Sycamore House, is a historic building in Grahamsville, New York, United States. It was built in 1851 and is a great example of Greek Revival style.
This large wooden building was once a busy hotel. Later, it became a family home and even a doctor's office. Today, the building is empty. In 2005, it was recognized for its history and added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
Exploring the C. Burton Hotel's Design
The C. Burton Hotel is a two-story building. It sits on a strong stone foundation. The front of the building has a special porch that is set back from the main wall. This porch features big, fluted columns in the Doric style. Similar columns are found at the corners of the building.
The roof is broad and gabled. It is covered with metal. Near the top, at each end, you can see round-arched windows with louvers. The back of the building has a unique rounded section with two doors.
Outside Features of the Hotel
The outside walls of the hotel are covered in clapboard siding. This is a common type of wooden siding. The roofline has a deep, decorative molded cornice. This is a fancy trim that goes around the top of the building. It also has a wide entablature, which is another decorative band below the cornice.
Inside the Historic Hotel
Three French doors lead from the front porch into the hotel's interior. The inside of the building still looks much like it did originally. There is a large entrance hall. A staircase here leads up to a ballroom on the second floor.
Some parts of the building, especially in the middle, still have their original finishes. This includes some beautiful marble mantels around the fireplaces.
The Hotel's Interesting History
The C. Burton Hotel looks like it was built all at once. But its history is a bit more surprising! It started as a small roadside tavern in 1851. C. Burton built this first section.
Growing into a Grand Hotel
Business must have been very good. Just two years later, in 1853, C. Burton made the building three times bigger. He added the main part we see today. The hotel continued to do well for many years. It served travelers and later became a popular vacation spot. Guests would arrive by stagecoach from a nearby train station.
A Hub for Local Events
Starting in 1898, the Grahamsville Fair was held on the land behind the hotel. This brought many more visitors to the area each year. Early in the 1900s, doctors began to use the building. They lived there and also had their offices. During this time, it was known as the Sycamore House and Hawthorne House. Guests could still stay there too.
Changes Over Time
As the 20th century went on, fewer people came to Grahamsville for vacations. This was because vacation styles changed. Other areas nearby became more popular for summer getaways.
From 1938 to 1953 or 1954, Dr. Karl H. Messinger owned the hotel. He used the ground floor for his medical office, surgery, and waiting room. His family lived upstairs, and the ballroom became their living and dining room. He even rented out a two-story apartment in the north part of the building.
Dr. Messinger worked hard to restore the building. He added a garage and removed some old fireplaces. He kept the marble mantels where he could. He also replaced the floor on the entrance porch. For this, he used marble from old tombstones that were left behind when the Rondout Reservoir was built. He laid them face down, except for one at the main entrance that said "Home At Last." Dr. Messinger moved away in 1953. The local economy had changed, and it was harder for a doctor to make a living there. He sold the property a few years later.
In 1994, a new family bought the hotel. They have been working to restore the house.
Why the C. Burton Hotel Looks So Special
The C. Burton Hotel is a great example of the Greek Revival style. This style was popular in the 1800s. What makes this hotel special is how fancy and detailed it is. It's unusual to find such a grand building in a rural area, far from big cities.
