The Hotel Kenney

“The early hotels in the country places received perhaps a more liberal patronage than in later years. The roads were traveled in such localities by numerous stage coaches, and all the merchandise and stock for manufacturers were brought in by teams, all of which made business at the hotels.” [Smith 1885]

“The Stearns Hotel was formerly a dwelling and owned by Enoch Benedict, but was changed into a hotel by Abijah Pierce. Rial Schellinger owned it afterwards several years. After him came John Hills, B.F. Stearns (1872) and C.H. Smith, the present proprietor, in January 1882.” [Smith 1885]

B. F. Stearns sells Truxton Hotel (Stearns House) to Charles H. Smith. Smith will take possession on January 1, 1882. [1881-12-02]

Charles H. Smith Takes Possession of the Stearns House. [1882-01-13]

In January 1885 Charles. H. Smith traded his Hotel for George Crane’s farm. [1885-01-30]

In December 1885 Dillenbeck and Stewart buy Stearns Hotel from J. Q. Perry who had just bought it from George Crane. [1885-12-11]

In December 1887 Francis A. Cody foreclosed on the Stearns House property. Named as Defendents were: Charles H. Smith, George I. Crane, Ruben Stewart, J. Arthur Dillenbeck, Orin H. Hazard, Elizabeth Hazard his wife, Alvin H. Mack and Ida Mack his wife. [1887-12-30]

Stearns House Destroyed by Fire on the night of January 30, 1888. After the dust of the foreclosure had settled Ruben Stewart was left holding the property, having purchased it just before the fire. Ruben was to have taken possession on Tuesday (Jan 31, 1888) – the fire was the night before. “The hotel had been insured for $3,000 by Mr. Stewart when he purchased it, but we understand this insurance had been assigned to F. H. Cody of Oneida Castle, who held a mortgage upon the house.” [1888-02-03].

By early April in 1888 the Sterns House site had been sold and the new owner, William Baldwin, was planning on rebuilding. [1888-04-06]

William Baldwin has sold the Baldwin House to Byron Briggs of Cazenovia for $7,500. Possession was April 1, 1896. [1896-02-12]

Bryon Briggs & wife transfer land in Truxton to Earl C. Johnson. [1896-12-11]

“The Johnson House, a large three-story hotel, was built some ten years ago by Wm. Baldwin, and when completed was at once opened as a public house. After a time, however, Mr. Baldwin, desirous of retiring from active business, sold the hotel to Byron Briggs of Delphi, and purchased the Dr. Nelson residence upon the hill just at the outskirts of the village. In November 1896, Earl Johnson purchased the house of Mr. Briggs and at once entered as owner and proprietor. The house is of modern architecture and well furnished throughout. The table is first class and is under the immediate supervision of Mrs. Johnson. Mr. Johnson is a native of the town of Lapeer, this county, but previous to coming to Truxton had been living in Chicago.”

[1899-05-19a]

The paper reported a Real Estate Transfer. Earl C. Johnson and wife transferred land in Truxton to Albert F. Kennedy [sic] for $10,000. [1901-08-02]

On June 18, 1901 an Opening Party was held for the Hotel Kenney. Kenney purchased it from Earl C. Johnson on May 1, 1901. [1901-06-07]

William Baldwin, Builder of Hotel Kenney Died on March 5, 1910. [1910-04-08]

In February 1920 Hotel Kenney was sold to Fred Bush of Truxton. [1920-02-13]; [1920-02-14]

In September 1920 Bowker & Baker purchased the Kenney Hotel from Mr. & Mrs. Fred Bush. [1920-09-03]

By 1926 the Kenney Hotel had become the Hiawatha Inn and it was managed by Dolores Bougie. Fire destroyed Hiawatha Inn barn on Wednesday, December 29, 1926. [1926-12-31]

Albert F. Kenney died in Cortland County Hospital on Monday, September 28, 1931, after being in failing health for the past four years. [1931-09-28]

FOOTNOTES

[Smith 1885] - History of Cortland Co., NY, By H. P. Smith, History of Truxton

Chapter XXIV, 1885.

[1881-12-02] – The Cortland Democrat, Cortland, NY, Friday, December 2, 1881.

[1882-01-13] – The Cortland Democrat, Cortland, NY, Friday, January 13, 1882.

[1885-01-30] –The Cortland Democrat, Cortland, NY, Friday, January 30, 1885.

[1885-12-11] –The Cortland Democrat, Cortland, NY, Friday, December 11, 1885.

[1887-12-30] – Foreclosure on the Stearns House, The Cortland Democrat, Cortland, NY, Friday, December 30, 1887.

[1888-02-03] – “Fire in Truxton,” The Cortland Democrat, Cortland, NY, Friday, February 3, 1888.

[1888-04-06] –The Cortland Democrat, Cortland, NY, Friday, April 6, 1888.

[1896-02-12] – “Truxton,” The Cortland Evening Standard, Cortland, NY, Wednesday, February 12, 1896.

[1896-12-11] – “Real Estate Transfers,” The Cortland Evening Standard, Cortland, NY, Friday, December 11, 1896.

[1899-05-19a] The Cortland Democrat, Cortland, NY, Friday, May 19, 1899.

[1901-08-02] – “Real Estate Transfers,” The Cortland Evening Standard, Cortland, NY, Friday, August 2, 1901.

[1901-06-07] –“Opening Party,” The Cortland Evening Standard, Cortland, NY, Friday, June 7, 1901.

[1910-04-08] – Cuyler – William Baldwin, The Cortland Democrat, Cortland, NY, Friday, April 8, 1910

[1920-02-13] –“Hotel Kenney At Truxton IS Sold,” The Cortland Democrat, Cortland, NY, Friday, February 13, 1920.

[1920-02-14] – “Hotel Kenney Sold,” The Cortland Standard, Cortland, NY, Saturday, February 14, 1920.

[1920-09-03] –The Cortland Democrat, Cortland, NY, Friday, September 3, 1920.

[1926-12-31] –“Truxton Hotel Barn Destroyed by Fire,” The Cortland Democrat, Cortland, NY, Friday, December 31, 1926.

[1931-09-28] – “Albert F. Kenney Ill Four Years,” The Cortland Standard, Cortland, NY, Monday, September 28, 1931.

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