Wilderstein's Boathouse

Wilderstein's boathouse and the Ellerslie dock, formerly Lewis Landing, stood here on property owned by Governor Morton. In 1888 Arnout Cannon Jr., an architect from Poughkeepsie, NY, designed the boathouse for Robert Suckley's fleet on a small parcel of land west of the railroad tracks and just south of the Ellerslie dock. The rectangular boathouse had its slip opening toward the south, with stairs at the side of the slip leading to the main floor, an open loft with a dressing room in one corner. Although the boathouse burned in 1937, the deep water port and foundation remain. Also visible are the foundations of the dockmaster's house for the Ellerslie dock and the remains of the old stone road that once connected Morton Road to Lewis Landing. During the winter months, iceboating drew Robert Suckley from New York City to Wilderstein, and he kept a standing order with the telegraph operator in Rhinecliffe to wire him whenever other boats were out so he could catch the next train from the city. Robert owned two ice yachts named Grace and Dombey.

Rhinebeck, New York · United States