Every Monday we share a vintage image on the Essex on Lake Champlain Facebook page and invite our viewers to play some Vintage Essex Trivia. This is a photograph of Rosslyn, although at the time this photo was taken it was known as the Sherwood Inn. (It has also been called the W.D. Ross Mansion and Hyde Gate — do you know of any other names?)
It was built circa 1826-8, and I believe it was converted into the Sherwood in during the early 20th century and it ceased operating as the Inn in the late 1950s or early 1960s. Does anyone know the precise dates?
Do you spy anything in the photo that is no longer there? Many people mentioned the porch which is now gone.
I do believe that the two trees, whose trunks we can see in the foreground, have been removed as well. Certainly the one on the left — I believe that is the tree that fell last year and destroyed part of the home’s fence!
What the Community Said
When we shared the photo on Facebook the building was quickly recognized. See what the community has already had to say:
Dianne Lansing: Steve is right and it was called The Sherwood Inn. At least a couple of my friends were waitresses here. Told me the lake always seems colder in Essex than in Westport.
Steve Mckenna: Looks like the Davis’ house before the porch was removed
Sylvia Margo: there was a porch, such a pity that they removed it
Mary Wade: WHAT A SHAME, Lots of porches taken off the homes, Essex Town hall had a nice full length porch like the Essex Inn.The Sherwood Inn”George Davis House now and the Shapiro house on main St, across from the Post Office. To name a few!! How about putting the porch back on George LOL
George Davis: We still have most of the columns for the porch squirreled away in the barn. Hhhmmm… Anybody remember when it the porch was removed? Anybody ever sit on that porch? Sure would love to find some old photos of people who are still in our community!
Dianne Lansing: Can’t quite picture George and Susan sitting on the porch watching the traffic whiz by.
Do you have any other insights to share? Maybe you can answer some of the questions that were brought up?
Sherwood Inn Brochure
This photo appeared in the interior of a brochure promoting the Sherwood Inn. Take a look below at photos of all parts of the brochure and a transcript of the interior’s content.
Click to enlarge.
“Sherwood Inn is located in the charming little village of Essex-on-Lake-Champlain, New York. On Route 22, one of the main highways from New York to Montreal, it is served directly by the Delaware & Hudson Railroad.
The Inn, a fine example of authentic Colonial, is more than 100 years old. Carefully modernized by particular owners, it provides the conveniences of the new without sacrificing any of the charm and dignity of the old.
The guestrooms are beautiful — large and airy — delightfully furnished — many with original fireplaces.
Essex is rich in historical lore and within driving distance of such points of interest as Ausable Chasm, Fort Ticonderoga, Crown Point Reservation, etc. Montreal is only 100 miles north and Burlington, Vermont just across the lake.
Fronting directly on Lake Champlain, which is 136 miles long and unsurpassed in beauty by any lake in America, the Inn commands sweeping views over the Lake into the Green Mountains of Vermont. To the rear are the lofty heights of the rugged Adirondacks.
A private beach and dock provide facilities for swimming, boating and fishing. Lawn sports include badminton, croquet and archery. An excellent golf course is available to guests a distance away.
Catholic and Protestant churches are within easy walking distance.
Guests are assured a splendid table with home cooking a feature. A Colonial Taproom with adjoining outdoor Terrace furnish pleasant atmosphere.
Each season of the year brings its special treats. Spring — with its soft, mellow days and nights. Summer and the innumerable outdoor sports. Fall — clear and crisp, with gorgeous mountain and Lake scenery. Wintertime — fishing through the ice for delicious Lake Champlain ice-fish. Grand sport and lots of fun!
For the discriminating guest, Sherwood In is indeed the ideal place for a restful and relaxing vacation.”(text via the brochure’s interior)
The back side also says: “Chalmer Ward Sherwood, Prop.” Does anyone remember this proprietor?
Share Your Essex Artifacts
If you want to share your old photos of Essex (or brochures; postcards; menus; tickets; any artifact) on the blog please email us at editor [at] essexonlakechamplain [dot] com.
Related articles
- Vintage Photo: Essex Post Office (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
- Vintage Postcard: Gem of the Lake (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
- Vintage Photo: Essex Waterfront (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
- Vintage Postcard: Essex from Lake Champlain (1909) (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
- Vintage Photo: Essex Boathouses (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
- Vintage Photo: Residence of H.H. Noble (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
If the Sherwood was served by the Delaware and Hudson, was there a station on Rte 22 with transportation to the village and back? Just where would it have been?
Eve
I do remember reading other references to a railroad station in Essex. Perhaps it is referring to the one in the “Boquet” area — near where the train tracks cross the road on Rte 22 perhaps? The one talked about here: https://www.essexonlakechamplain.com/heritage/vintage-photo-boquet/
Does anyone know?
Yes, there was a train station, adjacent to the tracks. It was a beautiful little building – too bad it has been removed. The several small business just south and the Kelly Farm, across the road, Roadside Stand are also gone.
Miss the annual Regatta that was held here!
I do too, Olive! Although the regattas predate my arrival in Essex by a fairly good slice of time, I’ve been collecting old news clippings and postcards from the regattas. Always looking for more stories and artifacts to share on http://rosslynredux.com ! 🙂