Pawling in Dutchess County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Mizzen Top Hotel
Photographed By Michael Herrick, November 24, 2009
1. Mizzen Top Hotel Marker
Was located on this site from 1880 – 1933. The building was three stories high, faced the west with two hundred feet frontage. It was opened during the summer seasons and accommodated 250 guests. Porches bordered three sides. The spacious grounds provided lawn tennis, golf links and a bowling alley. In the early days a livery stable supplied saddle horses and a four-in-hand coach.
Erected 1972 by the Historical Society of Quaker Hill and Vicinity.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1880.
Location. 41° 33.51′ N, 73° 33.063′ W. Marker is in Pawling, New York, in Dutchess County. Marker is on Church Road, 0.2 miles south of Quaker Hill Road, on the right when traveling south. Located in front of Christ Church. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pawling NY 12564, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Living Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Akin Hall (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Oblong (approx. 0.7 miles away); Purgatory Hill (approx. 1.4 miles away); The First Oblong Friends Meeting House (approx. 1˝ miles away); Oblong Meeting House
this page online
Regarding Mizzen Top Hotel. One story has it the hotel was named by Admiral John Lorimer Worden, former commander of the Civil War ship Monitor and who was subsequently a Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis. Admiral Worden often spent summers on Quaker Hill and eventually married Olivia Toffey, the daughter of a prominent Pawling resident, and aunt of Daniel Toffey who was Worden's clerk on the Monitor. Since the hotel views of the Harlem Valley and Catskill Mountains were so spectacular, he appropriately named the hotel "Mizzentop" after one of the highest points on a ship - the mizzen mast. Due to the fact that the school was originally situated on top of Quaker Hill, it was befitting to name the school Mizzentop Day School.
Also see . . .
1. The Oblong in Pawling: A History of a Quaker Hill Community in the Hudson Valley. Hudson Valley website entry (Submitted on November 4, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. A Brief History of Akin Hall. YouTube video (2m 36s)
Photographed By Michael Herrick, November 24, 2009
2. Mizzen Top Hotel Marker
Christ Church is in the background.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 30, 2009, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 2,966 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 30, 2009, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
