The Delbert Dinehart house is located directly across Route 7 from this house.  It was constructed in the early 1900's.  The Henry Astor "Mansion" was situated in the grove of towering spruce trees to the east.  Any remains of it have been removed and other buildings occupy the site.

          In 1923 Delbert Dinehart deeded this property to Ward and Anna Finkle who maintained a general store and home.  There were 6 bedrooms within the present structure that hints of a "rooming house" or overnight stop for travelers.

          There was a barn, a stable for horses and a much larger structure which contained the living quarters for the Finkles. the post office and a large general store with storage buildings and a hand dug well.  An apartment was added to the side of the barn and the last family to live there in the 1940's was the Dwys.  This barn was  demolished in 1999 due to disrepair over the years.  The foundation is still visible.  The  large shed serving as a 2-car garage has the horse troughs and the rings for attaching the reins during  a stop at the store or hotel.

          Mr. and Mrs. Finkle and their daughter Sally operated this store in an affectionate style.  Shortly after our purchase of this house in 1978, "Bucky" Cornel and his sister, Mrs. Kerbin, stopped by to point out their fond memories of patronizing the store and accompanying Mr. Finkle to the cellar to cut a wedge of cheese for them.  The local post office was still housed at this location, as stated by them.

          Norman Waldorf told my husband about his early youth when he accompanied Mr. Finkle on his rounds at the beginning of each week by horse and buggy to take staple orders and farming supply needs from the surrounding residents.  Mr. Finkle delivered these orders toward the end of the week by horse and wagon.

          A local young man by the name of Herbie Thorpe was employed by Mr. Finkle in the general store prior to 1939.  In 1985 Mr. Thorpe asked one of our daughters who was life guarding at Rudd Pond if there was still any signs of a dark substance on the floor of the large building in the backyard.  She replied in the affirmative, and he said that he had left the spigot open on the molasses barrel and all the molasses drained over the floor.  It is a wonderful preservative!

                                   See History Page 3