John & Esther Faughnan
1909
1909
Jim Dolan & Judy & Deb
Hazen 1954
Hazen 1954
Lillian Hazen 1940's
Al & Judy Hazen
1950's
1950's
May 6, 1948
Shanley Dinning Room
Shanley Dinning Room
May 6, 1948
Shanley Dinning Room
Shanley Dinning Room
Shanley Family Easter 1906
James Shanley & Friends 1914
A post-card setting of the Shawanugunk Mountains views from the
distance, in a sleepy little hamlet of the historic Hudson Valley,
exists Napanoch's "follies"; the Shanley Hotel. No matter where you
seem to go, someone had a great time at the Shanley's and would be
no stretch of one's imagination as to say " it was the Hudson Valley's
hot spot too!"
distance, in a sleepy little hamlet of the historic Hudson Valley,
exists Napanoch's "follies"; the Shanley Hotel. No matter where you
seem to go, someone had a great time at the Shanley's and would be
no stretch of one's imagination as to say " it was the Hudson Valley's
hot spot too!"
The original hotel was first built by
Thomas Rich in 1845,claiming in the
local newspaper to be "one of the area's
best with fine food and new furnishing
In 1851, it became Hungerford's Hotel,
rending that their hotel was "one of the
most beautiful and commodious public
houses to be found in any section of the
country" .
Several owners later, Adolgh Wagner, a
popular landlord, bought the hotel in
January of 1887. On March 18, 1895
trouble came. A house nearby caught
on fire; it spread to the hotel, burning it
down to the foundation. Diligently, by
September, the new frame was up and
in November, it was open to the public
once again.
Thomas Rich in 1845,claiming in the
local newspaper to be "one of the area's
best with fine food and new furnishing
In 1851, it became Hungerford's Hotel,
rending that their hotel was "one of the
most beautiful and commodious public
houses to be found in any section of the
country" .
Several owners later, Adolgh Wagner, a
popular landlord, bought the hotel in
January of 1887. On March 18, 1895
trouble came. A house nearby caught
on fire; it spread to the hotel, burning it
down to the foundation. Diligently, by
September, the new frame was up and
in November, it was open to the public
once again.
There had been many owners since
than but the one who seemed to have
placed The Napanoch Hotel on 'the
map', was James Louis Shanley. He was
born in Ireland on October (Halloween)
31, 1874 and moved with his family to
New York City. James and his brothers
were successful business men, opening
many elegant restaurants and Hotels
across the country. For health reasons
he moved upstate and purchased the
hotel on October 1, 1906.
than but the one who seemed to have
placed The Napanoch Hotel on 'the
map', was James Louis Shanley. He was
born in Ireland on October (Halloween)
31, 1874 and moved with his family to
New York City. James and his brothers
were successful business men, opening
many elegant restaurants and Hotels
across the country. For health reasons
he moved upstate and purchased the
hotel on October 1, 1906.
| //The Colonial Hotel & Neighboring building (The first hotel before it burned down.) |
James Shanley was a gallant man and
well loved in the community. On April
26,1910, James married Beatrice Rowley.
The town turned out for an 'good old
time skimmer-ton' ,with a grand parade
welcoming back the honey-mooners
from Washington D.C..
The Shanley's welcomed everyone, with
entertainment, card and domino
torments, as well as glorious parties and
holding special events. In 1908 he added
on a bowling alley to the building along
with a billiard room and Barber Shop.
The rich and famous were also fans of the
Shanleys. Thomas Edison and Eleanor
Roosevelt were frequent guests and close
friends. The Shanley's attended the
Inaugural Ball in Washington for
President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Eleanor
Roosevelt took particular care on making
the arrangements. In 1933, Eleanor and
her friend motored from Rosco to Hyde
Park, stopping at the Shanley's for a
social visit.
well loved in the community. On April
26,1910, James married Beatrice Rowley.
The town turned out for an 'good old
time skimmer-ton' ,with a grand parade
welcoming back the honey-mooners
from Washington D.C..
The Shanley's welcomed everyone, with
entertainment, card and domino
torments, as well as glorious parties and
holding special events. In 1908 he added
on a bowling alley to the building along
with a billiard room and Barber Shop.
The rich and famous were also fans of the
Shanleys. Thomas Edison and Eleanor
Roosevelt were frequent guests and close
friends. The Shanley's attended the
Inaugural Ball in Washington for
President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Eleanor
Roosevelt took particular care on making
the arrangements. In 1933, Eleanor and
her friend motored from Rosco to Hyde
Park, stopping at the Shanley's for a
social visit.
Cheerful times were without it's
hardships and the hotel had
their share. Mrs. Beatrice
Shanley borne three children,
all of which die within nine
months of birth. Beatrice was
known for her high-tea's and
social card parties. Extravagant
perfumes, priceless jewelry, and
fancy clothing adorned her
petite figure. Garnished on her
Victorian bed were sheets made
of satin and silk. "A Lady" they
would call her. Apparently, she
adored children, allowing them
to take their afternoon naps on
her bed.
Mrs. Shanley's sister, Esther
Faughman, and brother in-law,
John Faughman, lived in an
adjoining apartment. Esther
was a beautiful women with a
big heart. She had existed a
lonely life, yearning for her
friends and family back home in
New York City. Patiently she
waited by the mahogany
telephone booth each day
wishing the phone would ring.
Sadly, she died giving birth to
the third child leaving her
precious little girls for Beatrice
and James to raise.
pioneers & family, Cynthia and Salvatore Nicosia
salvaging it's glorious memories and atoning it's noble
history. After a one night stay, visitors feel the same, it is
their home too.
salvaging it's glorious memories and atoning it's noble
history. After a one night stay, visitors feel the same, it is
their home too.
The hotel's Barber suffered
tragedy likewise, when his 4
year old daughter drowned in
the well. There were several
other accidental deaths,
missing persons and rumors of
murder through out the years.
tragedy likewise, when his 4
year old daughter drowned in
the well. There were several
other accidental deaths,
missing persons and rumors of
murder through out the years.
| I have spent many years of my life in opposition, and I rather like the role. Eleanor Roosevelt |
From the late 1800's to the early 1900's the Shanley Hotel
was a summer vacation destination and had been the resting
stop on the railroad for many a weary traveler. It was the
towns favorite watering hole and home for the hard workers
during the D&H Canal to the Industrial age. Aka....tending
to the nobility ,consisting of a 'Private Gentleman's Club
Quarters' doors only opened to their distinguish members and
availability to the 'Ladies'.
was a summer vacation destination and had been the resting
stop on the railroad for many a weary traveler. It was the
towns favorite watering hole and home for the hard workers
during the D&H Canal to the Industrial age. Aka....tending
to the nobility ,consisting of a 'Private Gentleman's Club
Quarters' doors only opened to their distinguish members and
availability to the 'Ladies'.
by Francis Colgan (1950'S)
An dedicated patron at the Shanley Hotel.
An dedicated patron at the Shanley Hotel.
In 1944, she sold the hotel to Mr. Al
Hazen and moved back to NYC.
Strangely astonishing, Al Hazen
was born and had died the same
days (different years) as James
Shanley.
The owners of the hotel were
mostly family oriented yet welcome
travelers far and near. If the hotel
wasn't your home, it was definitely
your second lodging.
Ownership has changed hands
repeatedly soon after, leaving the
hotel in distress. Presently, in the
HISTORY BOOK OF THE SHANLEY
HOTEL, are the new dedicated
Hazen and moved back to NYC.
Strangely astonishing, Al Hazen
was born and had died the same
days (different years) as James
Shanley.
The owners of the hotel were
mostly family oriented yet welcome
travelers far and near. If the hotel
wasn't your home, it was definitely
your second lodging.
Ownership has changed hands
repeatedly soon after, leaving the
hotel in distress. Presently, in the
HISTORY BOOK OF THE SHANLEY
HOTEL, are the new dedicated
| Mr. and Mrs. Shanley visited the President's home and would stay for several weeks, as well as Eleanor to the Shanley Hotel. They use their 'nobility' to raise money for local charities by holding many Events and Balls. |
In 1937 the community had suffered
a great lost. James endured a heart
attack and died August 26th. He
was an willing supporter and a
generous contributor rendering a
strong benefit to his town. Several
priest attended to his funeral
services. Among the many
expressions of sorrow and sympathy
sent from far and near to Mrs.
Shanley, was one from Mrs.
Franklin D. Roosevelt, wife of the
President of the United States. Mrs.
Roosevelt sent flowers to Mrs.
Shanley and in a accompanying
letter expressed regret that she had
not known of Mr. Shanley's death in
time so that she might have attended
the funeral.
a great lost. James endured a heart
attack and died August 26th. He
was an willing supporter and a
generous contributor rendering a
strong benefit to his town. Several
priest attended to his funeral
services. Among the many
expressions of sorrow and sympathy
sent from far and near to Mrs.
Shanley, was one from Mrs.
Franklin D. Roosevelt, wife of the
President of the United States. Mrs.
Roosevelt sent flowers to Mrs.
Shanley and in a accompanying
letter expressed regret that she had
not known of Mr. Shanley's death in
time so that she might have attended
the funeral.
| CALENDAR OF EVENTS FROM THE PAST JANUARY 6 1912 Infant, Kathleen Shanley dies (5months, 24 days) 8 1931 Hotel closes for Winter 21 James Shanley Jr. Dies. (4 months, 11 days) 30 1916 William Shanley was born 1919 Andrew Shanley, older brother of James dies at 49 yrs. Of age FEBRUARY 6 1910 State of Art Barber Shop Opens 26 1932 Raid on Hotel for booze MARCH 2 1933 The Shanley's go to Washington D.C. to attend Roosevelt's Inaugural Ball 18 1895 Hotel burns to the ground APRIL 5 1979 William Blackmur dies, a resident of the hotel 7 1910 Beatrice and James Engagement 16 1931 Hotel Re-opens 26 1910 Beatrice and James Wedding Day in the hotel MAY 12 1910 'Old Time Skimmer-ton Party' for Shanley's return from their Honey-moon 28 1908 Addition to hotel for bowling alley, billiard and barber shop and 'apartments' upstairs from bowling alley JUNE 1 1911 Rose Anna Grieger dies, Age 3, daughter of Peter Grieger 'the Barber' 12 1939 Marriage of Kathleen Faughnan to Jacob Rippert 22 1914 Shanley buys Reo Tour Car. JULY 18 1911 Kathnleen Shanley was born AUGUST 3 1933 Mrs. Roosevelt comes to visit 17 1978 Noise complaint 24 1937 Jame's Shanley dies SEPTEMBER 2 1909 Mr. Shanley Reports "Best Season Ever" 10 1913 James Shanley Jr. was Born 14 1906 Shanley buys hotel for $10,000.00 from George Gosselin 1915 6 yr old boy was hit by a Dr. car backing out of alley between hotel and Dr.'s house. The boy sustained severe head injuries. Could this be Johnathon? OCTOBER 3 1906 Shanley holds opening party for public, dinner and dance 16 1918 Esther Rowley Faughnan dies in child birth 31 1876 James Shanley's Birthday NOVEMBER 3 1911 Pig Roast Dinner for Democratic Party 9 1916 William Shanley Dies , 9 months, 10 days. 27 1961 Mrs. Shanley Dies |
....a working process
The Shanley Hotel