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The Yankee Pedlar Inn, which opened as Conley's Inn has been the
place to both stay and dine in Western Connecticut. The
Inn was opened on July 28, 1891, by Frank Conley who came to the
United States from Ireland as a nine year old apprentice
shoemaker. With his wife, Alice Tryon of Massachusetts,
Conley gained prior experience in the hotel business. (Gelston
House, East Haddam and Allen House, Torrington)
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| However, Frank
Conley's personal ambition was to open a hotel that was the
equal of any in the state. In November 1890, Conley
bought,
for $8,000 a 100' by 214' lot on the corner of Main Street and
Maiden Lane. The plans called for a very modern structure
four stories tall of pallet brick, trimmed with Vermont
Marble. A wide verandah 114' x 60' ran along both street
sides of the hotel. |
Inside the hotel
- marble floors in a black and white diagonal mosaic, wainscoted
carpeted floors and there were pictures on every wall.
Fifty two bedrooms with 41 for transients.  Private
and public dining rooms to seat 150 people at one sitting.
The chairs and tables were of antique oak, each room had a two-light
chandelier and hot water was always available. In essence,
the last word in late Victorian hotel comfort and elegance.
In January 1891, Mary
Tryon, the Conley's niece, laid the first brick and the venture
was under way.
For $40,000 Frank's dream became a reality
with the grand opening of the hotel attended by 1,000 people on
July 28th. The success of the business from the start was
in no small part due to Alice Conley - an outstanding cook and
hotel manager.
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The Conley's ran a
successful and popular establishment until their deaths in 1910,
at which time, Mary, inherited the property.
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