A  post-card setting of the Shawanugunk Mountains views from the
distance, in a sleepy little hamlet of the historic Hudson Valley,
exists Napanoch's "follies"; the Shanley Hotel.   No matter where you
seem to go, someone had a great time at the Shanley's and would be
no stretch of one's imagination as to say  " it was the Hudson Valley's
hot spot too!"
From the late 1800's to the early 1900's the Shanley Hotel
was a summer vacation destination and had been the resting
stop on the railroad for many a weary traveler. It was the
towns favorite watering hole and home for the hard workers
during the D&H Canal to the Industrial age.
The original hotel was first built by
Thomas Rich in 1845, claiming in the
local newspaper to be 'one of the area's
best with fine food and new
furnishings.

In 1851, it became Hungerford's Hotel,
rending that their hotel was "one of the
most beautiful and commodious public
houses to be found in any section of the
country".

Several owners later, Adolgh Wagner, a
popular landlord, bought the hotel in
January of 1887.  On March 18, 1895
trouble came.  A house nearby caught
on fire; it spread to the hotel, burning it
down to the foundation.  Diligently, by
September, the new frame was up  and
in November, it was open to the public
once again.
There had been  many owners since
than but the one who seemed to have  
placed The Napanoch Hotel on 'the
map', was James Louis Shanley. He was
born in Ireland on October (Halloween)
31,1874; and moved with his family to
New York City. James and his brothers
were successful business men, opening
many elegant restaurants and  Hotels
across the country. For health reasons
he moved upstate and purchased the
hotel on October 1, 1906.
James Shanley was a gallant man and
well loved in the community. On April
26,1910, James married Beatrice Rowley.
The town turned out for an 'good old
time skimmer-ton' ,with a grand parade
welcoming back the honey-mooners  
from Washington D.C..
The Shanley's welcomed everyone, with
entertainment, card and domino
torments, as well as glorious parties and
holding special events.  In 1908 he added
on a bowling alley to the building along
with a billiard room and Barber Shop.
The rich and famous were also fans of the
Shanleys.  Thomas Edison and Eleanor
Roosevelt were  frequent guests and close
friends.  The Shanley's attended the
Inaugural Ball in Washington for
President Franklin D. Roosevelt.  Eleanor
Roosevelt took particular care on making
the arrangements.  In 1933, Eleanor and
her friend motored from Rosco to Hyde
Park, stopping at the Shanley's for a
social visit.Cheerful times were without it's
hardships and the hotel had
their share.  Mrs. Beatrice
Shanley borne three children,
all of which die within nine
months of birth.  Beatrice was
known for her high-tea's and
social card parties. Extravagant
perfumes, priceless jewelry, and
fancy clothing adorned her
petite figure.  Garnished on her
Victorian bed were sheets made
of satin and silk.   "A Lady" they
would call her.   Apparently, she
adored children, allowing them
to take their afternoon naps on
her bed.Mrs. Shanley's sister,
Esther Faughman, and brother
in-law, John Faughman, lived
in an adjoining apartment.  
Esther was a beautiful women
with a big heart.  She had
existed a lonely life, yearning
for her friends and family back
home in New York City.  
Patiently she waited by the
mahogany telephone booth
each day wishing the phone
would ring.   Sadly, she died
giving birth to the third child
leaving her precious little girls
for Beatrice and James to raise.
The hotel's Barber suffered
tragedy likewise, when his 4
year old daughter drowned in
the well.  There were several
other accidental deaths,
missing persons and rumors of
murder through out the years.  
In 1937 the community had suffered
a great lost. James endured a heart
attack and died August 26th.  He
was an willing supporter and a
generous contributor rendering a
strong benefit to his town. Several
priest attended to his funeral
services. Among the many
expressions of sorrow and sympathy
sent from far and near to Mrs.
Shanley, was one from Mrs.
Franklin D. Roosevelt, wife of the
President of the United States.  Mrs.
Roosevelt sent flowers to Mrs.
Shanley and in a accompanying
letter expressed regret that she had
not known of Mr. Shanley's death in
time so that she might have attended
the funeral.After James death, the
establishment seemed to be too
much for Mrs. Shanley to handle.  
In 1944, she sold the hotel to Mr. Al
Hazen and moved back to NYC.  
Strangely astonishing, Al Hazen
was born and had died the same
days (different years) as James
Shanley.The owners of the hotel where
mostly family oriented.   If the
hotel wasn't your home, it was
definitely your second home.
Ownership has changed hands
repeatedly soon after, leaving the
hotel in distress. Presently, in the
HISTORY BOOK OF THE SHANLEY
HOTEL, are the new dedicated
pioneers & family,  Cynthia and Salvatore Nicosia  
salvaging it's glorious  memories and atoning it's
noble history.   After a one night stay, visitors feel
the same, it is their home too.
HISTORY OF THE SHANLEY HOTEL
Shanley HotelMass Paranormal and
friends at the