A History of the Stagecoach Inn

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The original structure, crafted from locally sourced materials, was erected in 1747 and now stands at the heart of the present-day house.

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In 1791, Anthony Dobbin acquired the property, initially using it to raise sheep. However, his astute observation of coaches passing through his land en route to Albany Post Road led him to convert it into an inn.

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By 1801, Dobbin's Inn had become a favored stopover. Notably, Governor George Clinton, one of our Founding Fathers and the fourth Vice President of the United States, found respite here during a militia review. Local justices, still donned in their judicial robes, would take their dinner breaks here. The inn had firmly established itself as a thriving business.

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In the same year, the inn commenced offering stud services by the renowned English thoroughbred, Imported Messenger. His son Abdallah was sired in the stables at the back of the property. Abdallah sired the famous Hambletonian, who in turn sired all Standardbreds, the harness racing breed recognized worldwide. Hambletonian was born in Sugar Loaf, bought by William Rysdyk, and eventually stabled at Chester, where his stud fees made his owner a wealthy man.

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The Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame named Goshen a "trotting horse Mecca," thanks to Hambletonian and his offspring. These horses attracted international recognition and attention, so the Goshen Historic Track was established in 1838, just down the street from Dobbin's Inn. For a while, Dobbin's property extended right up to the Track, but he later sold some of his land to pay taxes, according to some sources. The Goshen Historic Track, the world's oldest harness racing venue, and North America's longest continually operated horse racing track, came into existence.

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Dobbin had no descendants. In 1857, his second wife and widow, Nancy, bequeathed the property to her nephew, John J. Heard, who had lived there since 1812 with his widowed mother, Nancy's sister. Heard is reputed to have enlarged the Inn when he combined the original brick structure with a wooden addition.

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Nicholas Franchot bought the property from Heard as an investment. He eventually sold the home to his daughter Janet and her first husband, William Hickok IV - a descendant of James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok. They owned the house as a private residence and further enlarged and restored it.

Janet divorced Hickok and later married Neil Macdonald (Don) Wilder, a hunting and sports enthusiast. She lived in the house until her death in 1965. She was a great philanthropist and gave generously to many causes, including the Cerebral Palsy Center, now known as Inspire.

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After the passing of Janet Franchot Hickok Wilder, William Hickok V, Janet’s son from her first marriage, along with his wife, Marjorie (Margo) Miller George Hickok, assumed residence. Margo, a former New York City model and owner of a modeling agency, first crossed paths with William Hickok V when attending a party at the historic Westinghouse Estate in Goshen owned by the Gabor Sisters and they married soon thereafter.

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Margo and William re-opened The Anthony Dobbins Stagecoach Inn as a Bed & Breakfast 1985. After her husband’s death in 1987, Margo became the sole host of the inn, and was only too glad to share the history of her home and its many antiques. Before her passing in 2011, Margo George Hickok and her family decided to sell the inn after being in the family for over 110 years.

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In 2014, Faith Ferguson and her husband, Ron Boire, took ownership of the property, embarking on an ambitious renovation journey that spanned almost 2 years. Their vision was clear: to honor the inn's original architecture and historic allure while meticulously restoring it to its former grandeur.

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Following the meticulous renovation, the inn welcomed its first guests in 2016. Blending modern amenities with carefully selected antiques that pay homage to its rich history, the space has become the Hudson Valley’s premier guest house, restaurant, and intimate event venue. Spread across 3 acres in the heart of the Hudson Valley, our beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces offer a picturesque setting for any occasion.