Each Monday we share an old Essex photo on the Essex on Lake Champlain Facebook page and invite our viewers to play some Vintage Essex Trivia. Do you recognize this inn on Main Street? The postcard is titled “Colonial Inn, Essex, NY.” This inn is one of the oldest surviving in the area, and has operated as an inn almost every year of its existence. Today it is known as the Essex Inn on the Adirondack Coast.
The original inn was built circa 1810 and since then has undergone several additions and renovations. Though the inn today is certainly recognizable and closely resembles the historic image on the postcard there are some changes to its outer appearance. Today the lanterns on the end columns are no longer there along with the rectangular sign above the entryway on the porch and the small one on the left end of the building. You can see the new sign for the inn in the recent photo to the right.
I’m guessing that the photo was taken in the early 1900s because the lower railing on the porch was not added until safety regulations of the 20th century made it mandatory to have one. The appearance of the lower railing is also another difference between the historic image and the inn today. See the absence of bars in that railing in the photo to the right.
If you see any other differences or have other thoughts to share leave a message in the comment section below.
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 Postcard: 1940s Main Street Looking South (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
- Vintage Postcard: Crater Club (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
- Sherwood Inn Remembered (rosslynredux.com)
- Historic Essex Inn (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
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