Living in the Harbor since 1970, that blue neon sign was a welcome sight. I didn't not know about its past name of Old Orchard. In the early 80s, there was a nightclub just up the hill called The Apple Orchard. do you know if there any connection, a past shout out or just dumb luck? Thanks and I love your work and great photo-eye.
I don't think the the Francis Skillman property was a farm per se. An ad in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle June 1931, describes the property as a " 38 acre wooded estate". Makes sense as the property to the rear and east of the building rises steeply, unsuitable for a farm but just fine for an orchard.
Michael, you are amazing. Thank you for adding to our story. And Fred, I don't believe I ever knew that hotel was your family's! Patty, I will echo your statement: gone is ANY semblance of the town I knew and loved. I'd rather see a gas station on every corner than the monstrosities which have been erected mainly as tax losses and built by speculators who have no clue. But, as with all small towns, this too shall pass 💚
Thank you, Fred, thank you Michael.
Michael, you are amazing. Thank you for adding to our story. And Fred, I don't believe I ever knew that hotel was your family's! Patty, I will echo your statement: gone is ANY semblance of the town I knew and loved. I'd rather see a gas station on every corner than the monstrosities which have been erected mainly as tax losses and built by speculators who have no clue. But, as with all small towns, this too shall pass 💚
Thank you, Fred, thank you Michael.
I think I remember too that there was no paring in the front. I don't think though we ever ate there as a family though. I think my parents did. It really was a landmark.
I think I remember too that there was no paring in the front. I don't think though we ever ate there as a family though. I think my parents did. It really was a landmark.
Howard, Regarding the Blue Spruce Inn. Previously it was the Old Orchard Inn. In early 1936 it opened as the Blue Spruce Inn operated by Mrs. E. iverson and Wilberg Lundin. In mid 1938 it was taken over by Curt Kroner and Curt Hildebrandt. Some time in the early 1940's Carl and William Werner took it over.
I think I remember too that there was no paring in the front. I don't think though we ever ate there as a family though. I think my parents did. It really was a landmark.
Actually, Mr. Murtagh is correct about the date on the photo showing the fire apparatus extending from Northern Blvd. over a house beyond the old Bulls Head Hotel building. I apologize to Howard Kroplick for providing him with that incorrect date – I had actually taken that photo in 1999. The house in question was going to be demolished along with the vacant hotel. The then developer/owner of these properties gave permission to the Roslyn Fire Department to practice venting (cutting through) its roof to allow practice smoke to escape from the house. Interestingly, this was the house that Aloysius Huwer, a veteran of the Civil War, built and moved into in the late teens after he sold the hotel and its corner property.
Regarding the above photo with the police officer standing on the corner, take a look at the long row of first-floor windows of the hotel that is facing us. These windows enclosed the hotel’s old front porch and, in 1932, housed the first post office in Greenvale. In later years, one of the building’s storefronts facing Northern Blvd. housed Dr. Cavoti’s original Greenvale Pharmacy, the first drug store in the hamlet. That pharmacy still operates today in Greenvale at a different location and under different management.
As a clarification, the hotel never burned down, but was demolished as I said above. The structure on the Huwer’s corner property that was destroyed by fire in the late teens was his …Auto & Wagon Shed that once housed the Vanderbilt Cup racing cars.
An interesting family story was told by my grandmother, Louisa Huwer Blumlein, Aloysius’ daughter. When her father was offered to buy the land directly across Northern Blvd. where Ben’s restaurant exists today, he said, and I paraphrase, “what do I want more property for?”
Comments
Living in the Harbor since 1970, that blue neon sign was a welcome sight. I didn't not know about its past name of Old Orchard. In the early 80s, there was a nightclub just up the hill called The Apple Orchard. do you know if there any connection, a past shout out or just dumb luck? Thanks and I love your work and great photo-eye.
From Profiles: Blue Spruce Inn
Jean H.
And your vaccine updates are the best I’ve seen. Thank you for a much needed service.
JH
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I don't think the the Francis Skillman property was a farm per se. An ad in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle June 1931, describes the property as a " 38 acre wooded estate". Makes sense as the property to the rear and east of the building rises steeply, unsuitable for a farm but just fine for an orchard.
From Profiles: Blue Spruce Inn
Michael, you are amazing. Thank you for adding to our story. And Fred, I don't believe I ever knew that hotel was your family's! Patty, I will echo your statement: gone is ANY semblance of the town I knew and loved. I'd rather see a gas station on every corner than the monstrosities which have been erected mainly as tax losses and built by speculators who have no clue. But, as with all small towns, this too shall pass 💚
Thank you, Fred, thank you Michael.
From Profiles: Bulls Head Hotel and Auto & Wagon Shed
Michael, you are amazing. Thank you for adding to our story. And Fred, I don't believe I ever knew that hotel was your family's! Patty, I will echo your statement: gone is ANY semblance of the town I knew and loved. I'd rather see a gas station on every corner than the monstrosities which have been erected mainly as tax losses and built by speculators who have no clue. But, as with all small towns, this too shall pass 💚
Thank you, Fred, thank you Michael.
From Profiles: Bulls Head Hotel and Auto & Wagon Shed
I think I remember too that there was no paring in the front. I don't think though we ever ate there as a family though. I think my parents did. It really was a landmark.
From Profiles: Blue Spruce Inn
Isabel, I was surprised how close the building was to Old Northern Boulevard. Clearly most of the parking was in the back.
I think I remember too that there was no paring in the front. I don't think though we ever ate there as a family though. I think my parents did. It really was a landmark.
From Profiles: Blue Spruce Inn
Al, thanks for your insight into the Blue Spruce Inn. I will revise the profile.
From Profiles: Blue Spruce Inn
Howard, Regarding the Blue Spruce Inn. Previously it was the Old Orchard Inn. In early 1936 it opened as the Blue Spruce Inn operated by Mrs. E. iverson and Wilberg Lundin. In mid 1938 it was taken over by Curt Kroner and Curt Hildebrandt. Some time in the early 1940's Carl and William Werner took it over.
Al, thanks for your insight into the Blue Spruce Inn. I will revise the profile.
From Profiles: Blue Spruce Inn
To this day, when I drive by there I instinctively look up toward where it was! Thank you for the photos and history.
Isabel, I was surprised how close the building was to Old Northern Boulevard. Clearly most of the parking was in the back.
I think I remember too that there was no paring in the front. I don't think though we ever ate there as a family though. I think my parents did. It really was a landmark.
From Profiles: Blue Spruce Inn
Fred, thanks so much for updating and correcting the profile. Your efforts in preserving the history in our community is much appreciated!
From Profiles: Bulls Head Hotel and Auto & Wagon Shed
Actually, Mr. Murtagh is correct about the date on the photo showing the fire apparatus extending from Northern Blvd. over a house beyond the old Bulls Head Hotel building. I apologize to Howard Kroplick for providing him with that incorrect date – I had actually taken that photo in 1999. The house in question was going to be demolished along with the vacant hotel. The then developer/owner of these properties gave permission to the Roslyn Fire Department to practice venting (cutting through) its roof to allow practice smoke to escape from the house. Interestingly, this was the house that Aloysius Huwer, a veteran of the Civil War, built and moved into in the late teens after he sold the hotel and its corner property.
Regarding the above photo with the police officer standing on the corner, take a look at the long row of first-floor windows of the hotel that is facing us. These windows enclosed the hotel’s old front porch and, in 1932, housed the first post office in Greenvale. In later years, one of the building’s storefronts facing Northern Blvd. housed Dr. Cavoti’s original Greenvale Pharmacy, the first drug store in the hamlet. That pharmacy still operates today in Greenvale at a different location and under different management.
As a clarification, the hotel never burned down, but was demolished as I said above. The structure on the Huwer’s corner property that was destroyed by fire in the late teens was his …Auto & Wagon Shed that once housed the Vanderbilt Cup racing cars.
An interesting family story was told by my grandmother, Louisa Huwer Blumlein, Aloysius’ daughter. When her father was offered to buy the land directly across Northern Blvd. where Ben’s restaurant exists today, he said, and I paraphrase, “what do I want more property for?”
Fred, thanks so much for updating and correcting the profile. Your efforts in preserving the history in our community is much appreciated!
From Profiles: Bulls Head Hotel and Auto & Wagon Shed