Blairstown in Warren County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Blairstown Hotel

39 Main Street

— 1838-1957 —

Blairstown Hotel Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 24, 2019

1. Blairstown Hotel Marker

Inscription. For close to 120 years, this location served as the home to the famed Blairstown Hotel. During the late 1830s, George Van Scoten saw the need for accommodations for those traveling through town and weary from their travel by foot or horse. At the time, Main Street itself was part of a primary route from points north and east to the ferries of the Delaware River and points west. By 1877, John I. Blair's railway had come to town and enabled folks from metropolitan areas to escape to Blairstown for the picturesque scenery, recreation, hunting, and fishing. At the turn of the century the influx of patrons required that the building be transformed from 1-1/2 stories to 4 stories, with 30 rooms and a cupola at the top. Politician Woodrow Wilson, inventor Thomas A. Edison and sports legend Babe Ruth were among the many guests of the hotel over the years. A surviving copy of the hotel register bears the signature of John D. Rockefeller and a member of the Scribner family. Sadly, during the early morning hours of March 1, 1957, a fire started next door to the hotel. Despite the valiant efforts of Blairstown Hose Company, citizens

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of Blairstown, and students of Blair Academy, the hotel succumbed to the largest fire that the town had known. The business continued and was rebuilt as the Blairstown Inn on what is now Route 94. It is one of the longest continuously run businesses in Blairstown. The Post Office has been located here since 1966.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #28 Woodrow Wilson series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1838.

Location. 40° 58.966′ N, 74° 57.709′ W. Marker is in Blairstown, New Jersey, in Warren County. It is on Main Street 0.1 miles east of New Jersey Route 94, on the right when traveling east. Marker is mounted at waist-level on the front of the Blairstown Post Office building, facing Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 39 Main Street, Blairstown NJ 07825, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in New Jersey’s North Jersey.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Marker detail: Blairstown House, circa 1910 image. Click for full size.

2. Marker detail: Blairstown House, circa 1910

This "Blairstown House" postcard shows the recently installed fourth floor and cupola. In the distance the Presbyterian Church steeple rises above the Village. Postcard circa 1910.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: First Methodist Episcopal Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Roy’s Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Branigan’s Pharmacy (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Academy (within shouting distance of this marker); The Rainbow Confectionery (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Water Works (about 400 feet away); The Mill (about 500 feet away); Blairstown Historic District (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Blairstown.

Another marker is no longer nearby. The Old Mill (was about 500 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . . Blairstown Historic District. With a large mill, tavern, storehouse, blacksmith, post office and river crossing, the settlement was an important local service center by 1820.

Marker detail: Blairstown Inn, circa 1945 image. Click for full size.

3. Marker detail: Blairstown Inn, circa 1945

The hotel facade had many changes over the years. This postcard shows the Blairstown Inn when it was owned by Viola Williams circa 1945.

The village continued to grow slowly and by 1844 it could also boast two churches and a hotel along its main street. (Submitted on May 24, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Marker detail: Hotel for Sale! image. Click for full size.

4. Marker detail: Hotel for Sale!

This March 1877 advertisement references the Blairstown Railway. The Blairstown Railway was dedicated in July of 1877.

Marker detail: Blairstown Inn Bar, circa 1945 image. Click for full size.

5. Marker detail: Blairstown Inn Bar, circa 1945

The bar was in the back of the building and reported to be 35 feet long. It was a poplar place for the locals to relax and play the game of choice — shuffleboard. Photo circa 1945.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 24, 2019

6. Blairstown Hotel Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 24, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 23, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 827 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 24, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.