Rocking chairs have been seen rocking on their own,
mysterious clocks chime, cold and hot spots felt, along with
aromas such as Emma's (in spirit) home style cooking. Many
report hearing sounds such as James Shanley's (deceased
former owner) whistling, footsteps in the halls and on the
stairs, opening and closing of doors, piano music, voices,
or laughter of children. Some have seen mysterious shadows
and apparitions, report feelings of being watched and
followed, and objects moving or being relocated.
Upon entering the Bordello, people have reported feeling
lightheaded, shortness of breath, heaviness and feelings of
joy/sadness. The 'Bordello' is considered the most active
place in the Hotel.
Rumors of mysterious cover-up deaths, murders and secrets
are slowly revealed from the spirits whose stories want to
be told - the good times and the bad. Book your stay and see
why we say, "The Spirits
Are Inn"!
Shanley Hotel History
In a picture postcard setting with views of the Shawangunk
Mountains in the distance, in a sleepy little hamlet of the
historic Hudson Valley is the Shanley Hotel. No matter where
you seemed to go, someone had a great time at Shanley's.
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'.
The original hotel was first built by Thomas Ritch in 1845,
claiming in a local newspaper to be, "one of the area's best
with fine food and new furnishing." In 1851 it became
Hungerford's Hotel, "one of the most beautiful and
commodious public houses to be found in any section of the
country." Several owners later, Adolph Wagner, a popular
landlord, bought the hotel in January of 1887. On March 18,
1895 trouble came when a nearby house caught fire. It spread
to the hotel, burning it down to the foundation. By
September, the new frame was up and in November it was open
to the public once again.
There have been many owners since then 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 31
(Halloween), 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. He moved upstate and purchased the hotel on October
1, 1906. In 1908 he added a bowling alley, billiard room and
barber shop to the building.
James Shanley was a gallant man and well loved in the
community. He married Beatrice Rowley on April 26,1910. The
town turned out for an 'good old time skimmerton ,with a
grand parade welcoming back the honeymooners from Washington
D.C..
The Shanleys welcomed everyone, with entertainment, card and
domino torments, as well as glorious parties and holding
special events. The rich and famous were also fans of the
Shanleys. Thomas Edison and Eleanor Roosevelt were frequent
guests and close friends. The Shanleys 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 hardships and the hotel had
their share. Mrs. Beatrice Shanley had three children, all
of which died within nine months of birth. Beatrice was
known for her high teas 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. 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 woman with a big heart. She yearned for her
friends and family back home in New York City, and patiently
waited by the mahogany telephone booth each day for the
phone to ring. Sadly, she died, leaving her
precious little girls for Beatrice and James to raise.
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.
In 1937 the community suffered a great loss when James
endured a heart attack and died August 26th. Several priests
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.
In 1944, Beatrice sold the hotel to Allen Hazen and moved
back to NYC. Interestingly, Al Hazen was born and had died
the same days (different years) as James Shanley. The owners
of the hotel over the years were mostly family oriented yet
welcome travelers far and near. If the hotel wasn't your
home, it was definitely your second lodging.
Ownership changed hands repeatedly soon after Mr. Hazen's
death, eventually leaving the hotel vacant and in distress.
Under the current dedicated ownership of Salvatore Nicosia
the hotel is being lovingly restored to his former glory,
salvaging its memories and atoning its noble history. After
a one night stay, visitors feel the same, it is their home
too.
Shanley Hotel
56 Main Street
Napanoch, NY 12458
Phone:(845) 467-7056
Website: shanleyhotel.com
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