Looking Back

Ann O’Hara
Posted 8/21/12

Irving Cliff was named during an 1841 visit to Honesdale by Philip Hone, first president of the D&H Canal Company, and his friends, Henry Brevoort and author Washington Irving. They stopped at a …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Looking Back

Posted

Irving Cliff was named during an 1841 visit to Honesdale by Philip Hone, first president of the D&H Canal Company, and his friends, Henry Brevoort and author Washington Irving. They stopped at a spring in what is now Glen Dyberry Cemetery, where they exchanged toasts. Hone’s toast was: “Irving’s Cliff—the dignified and sleepless guardian of Honesdale, made famous by the weary footsteps of one who has charmed the world by his writings.” Construction on a grand hotel atop the cliff, projected to cost $300,000, was begun in 1884. Construction was completed and the hotel scheduled to open in June 1889. The grand opening was doomed, though, because on May 28, 1889 the Irving Cliff Hotel burned to the ground. The local fire company was powerless to help, and despite promises to rebuild, the hotel was not to be.

From the collection of the Wayne County Historical Society, 810 Main St., Honesdale. The museum and research library are open Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here