by Bea Peterson
Saturday morning, July 26, was pleasant and sunny. It was a perfect day for dedicating Grafton’s first historic marker. Many people turned out, including NYS Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin, Rensselaer County Executive Kathy Jimino and Rensselaer County Legislator Stan Brownell as well as Town officials and members of the Grafton Historical Society. Behind the crowd stood the stately building described on the marker.
[private]Pat Niebuhr welcomed everyone to the event stating it was a proud time for the Town to have its first historic marker. After Anne Kiely and Niebuhr unveiled the sign Kiely read a history of the structure described on the blue and gold plaque. At the conclusion of the ceremony Kathy Jimino presented Elsie Risedorf, owner of the building, with a certificate of appreciation from the County. Refreshments were served.
With the ever present traffic on the busy Route 2 highway, it was often difficult to hear what was said. Anne Kiely presented an interesting history of the building. She said, “Look at this house – this grand dame. Isn’t it wonderful? And to think it was born almost 220 years ago – about 1795 – and not even on this site but over 800 feet south of here!
“According to Anderson’s Landmarks of Rensselaer County, Abel Owen built it. Owen had a contract with Patroon Stephen van Rensselaer to build a road from Williamstown to the Quackenkill. In exchange the patroon granted him 200+ acres of land. He settled here, roughly the mid-way point between the two ends of the road. He is reputed to be the first to settle in what later became Grafton. This house was located on the road he built. How proud he must have been as he drove in the last nail and crossed the threshold. But upon fulfilling his contract Owen decided to move on, and he sold his property, including this house, to Lemuel Stewart of Petersburgh.
“In 1820 a new road was proposed. The Troy-Petersburgh Turnpike was incorporated and a new improved toll road was built. The new road bypassed this house, so Lemuel Stewart had it moved over 800 feet from a location south of here, down the hill, to the present location, harnessing 16 yoke of oxen to complete the task. How they must have struggled to drag this huge building uphill all that way! That was about 1830, and it has stood on this site ever since. Legend says there was a third story that was removed prior to relocation. I guess that explains the mysterious stairway to the stars – a door to nowhere at the top of the second floor.
“The property included a 220 acre farm. Lemuel Stewart and his descendants lived in this house and farmed the land until it was sold by his great-granddaughter in 1909 to settle the estate.
“Clarence Church of Hoosick Falls purchased it for $1,800 and lived here. Helen Ellett recalls coming here one time as a small child with her father and grandfather to buy a bushel of potatoes from the Churches.
“Joel Moon became the next owner in 1921 and added the dining room. It became Moon’s Mountain Top House, a tourist home whose rooms rented for $15 per night, including meals, according to classified ads in local newspapers. It was very popular. During this time modern amenities were incorporated: electricity, running water, indoor plumbing and central heat.
“In 1947 Fritz and Anna Hangst took over the Mountain Top House and operated a restaurant featuring German cuisine. It was a popular place to eat and became very well known.
“Thirty years later the Hangsts sold the property to the Fredericksons, who operated it as the Inn of Five Flags. In 1982 Henriucs Bergman took over the operation and called his restaurant the Stonington Inn. It was to be a fine dining establishment, and dinner was served in what is now the living room.
“It was lucky for us that in 1987 Elsie and Ken Risedorf fell in love with this old house. Since then Elsie has used this house to offer her warm hospitality as both a Bed and Breakfast and a venue for many wonderful celebrations she has catered. The Historical Society has been fortunate to hold its annual wine and cheese festivals here.
“Although there have been changes made to the house throughout its history, much remains original – wide board planking upstairs, plaster walls, the windows, even some of the clapboard siding. As they say, ‘They don’t make them like the used to.’”
Look For The Marker
Be sure to look for the sign when passing through Grafton on Route 2.[/private]