The inn that survived a sheriff's sale

The Elmendorph Inn is the oldest building in Red Hook. Built in the mid-18th century, it served as an inn for long-distance travelers on the Albany Post Road. It became a regular stop for travelers on the road in 1785.

By 1811, it was known as Loop's Hotel. One owner, George Ring, bought the inn in 1819 and opened a store in 1820. He failed so thoroughly that the property was sold at a sheriff's sale in 1825. It was bought by Peter DeReimer, who flipped it to Jacobus Eckhart in 1827.

In the 1830s, the owners expanded the structure north and south and covered the original gambrel roof to create a gabled appearance. They also refurbished the interior in the Federal style. During this era, the Red Hook Town Board met here starting in 1815, and the first Dutchess County Fair was held on the grounds.

Today, you can still see the history of these changes inside. There are bricked-over former fireplaces showing evidence of past expansions. The kitchen still holds a beehive oven, and the central hallway has a curved wall to accommodate the staircase. It is now a community center, still standing on the corner of North Broadway and Cherry Street.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons