Colts Neck Inn facts for kids

The Colts Neck Inn is a famous steakhouse in Colts Neck Township, New Jersey. It's located on County Route 537. This historic place started as the Colts Neck Tavern way back in 1717. Over time, it changed names, becoming the Colts Neck Hotel and then a restaurant. A separate hotel business, also called Colts Neck Inn Hotel, was started in 1997.

History of the Colts Neck Inn

The Colts Neck Inn has a long history. A sign at the inn says it began as a tavern around 1717. However, we don't have official papers to confirm the exact date. This tavern was an important stop for stagecoaches and messengers. They traveled on the old post road between Freehold and Perth Amboy, New Jersey.

The Early Tavern Years

A man named Levi Hart came from England around 1735. He settled in Colts Neck, which was then part of Freehold Township, New Jersey. Levi became the tavern keeper, and his place was known as Hart's Tavern.

After Levi died in 1775, his wife, Catherine Hart, took over. She later remarried in 1778 to Joshua Huddy. Joshua was involved in local activities during the American Revolution. Later, Jacob Hart, Levi's son, managed the tavern until 1817.

Samuel Laird's Time

Samuel Laird took over the tavern in 1817. He ran it until he passed away in 1859. Samuel was also the first postmaster of Colts Neck. A post office opened there on February 24, 1824. Samuel was still running the tavern when Colts Neck became part of Atlantic Township in 1857.

Samuel Laird was also known for training race horses. One famous horse was a thoroughbred named Fashion. Samuel's son, Joseph T. Laird, was the jockey for Fashion. Joseph was considered one of the best jockeys on the US East Coast. Fashion's biggest race was on May 10, 1842, at the Union Course on Long Island, New York. Fashion raced against a horse named Boston.

After Samuel's death, his son Robert Laird managed the tavern until 1869. Then, Augustus Manning took over, followed by other owners. By 1885, Monroe Matthews was running the tavern.

Laird & Company Distillery

Samuel Laird's father, Robert Laird, started a distillery next to the tavern. He operated it from 1780 until his death in 1811. This distillery, called Laird & Company, is known as the oldest licensed distillery in the United States. It made and sold a drink called applejack.

The original distillery burned down in 1849. Samuel Laird's son Robert, who was running it then, rebuilt it. The new distillery was built in nearby Scobeyville, New Jersey, where it still operates today.

Becoming a Hotel

In December 1908, Frederick Luther sold the business to Louis V. Snyder. At that time, the inn was a hotel with more than 25 guest rooms. It also had stables for 25 horses and several acres of land. It was said to be the only hotel between Eatontown and Freehold, New Jersey. Luther planned to retire, and Snyder took over the business in March 1909.

The hotel part of the business became a separate company in 1997. Peter Mavrookas was the President of this company in 2003. By October 2016, the hotel had 47 guest rooms.

The Inn Today

In the mid-1960s, Arthur Ruffalo and Joseph Ruffalo were partners in the Colts Neck Inn. In 1973, they sold the Inn to George Mavrookas. As of October 2017, George Mavrookas's family still owns and runs the business.