History of Somers
 

The Elephant Hotel, a National Historic Landmark

 The Elephant Hotel was built between 1820 and 1825 by Hachaliah Bailey, a significant figure in the formation of the Early American Circus.  The building, a three-story brick structure, is a rare, distinctive example of Federal Period domestic architecture.  It is also a distinguished specimen of the rural turnpkie hotel.

 Around 1805 Hachaliah Bailey had acquired an elephant, named her Old Bet, and took her on tour along the eastern seaboard of the new nation.  He soon added other exotic animals to his menagerie.  His neighbors and relatives joined him in this enterprise, sometimes as partners, sometimes as competitors.  The uniquely American Circus grew out of these early menageries. 

 Situated at the intersection of the Croton Turnpike and the Peekskill Turnpike, the hotel became the economic and social center of Somers and the surrounding area.  Not only was it the meeting place for the menagerie/circus owners, it was also a stage coach stop for travelers between New York City and points to the north and east.  It was a stopping place for drovers as they drove their cattle, sheep and hogs to the New York City markets.

 In 1839 the Farmers & Drovers Bank of Somers was organized and housed in the Elephant Hotel and an adjacent building.  With the coming of the railroad to the east of Somers in the 1840s, the hotel and the hamlet of Somers lost their viability.  The bank went into voluntary liquidation in 1885 and ceased its operations in 1905.

 The Hotel continued, however, to be the social center for the area.  Numerous balls, soirees, dancing schools and other social functions took place in the Hotel.  In 1923 D.W. Griffith filmed a portion of his epic motion picture "America" in Somers.  Mr. Griffith, Lionel Barrymore and other members of the cast were guests of the Hotel.

The Hotel was purchased by the Town of Somers from the Bailey family in 1927.  The lower two floors now serve as municipal offices.  The top floor serves as home for the Somers Historical Society and Museum of the Early American Circus.

 The beauty of the Elephant Hotel can still be seen in the stately portico and entrance hall, on the woodwork surrounding windows and doors, and the fireplaces in each room.  A huge fireplace, measuring 8 feet by 6 feet 3 inches, once used for cooking, is now one wall of the employees' lounge.

 The Elephant Hotel was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2005.  The following year the Town dedicated it as such with a big ceremony on the front steps and surrounding lawn.