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All About The Landing At Pultneyville 1858 - 2008 Situated along the east bank of Salmon Creek on the southern shore of Lake Ontario, The Landing at Pultneyville is a popular upstate New York destination along the well-traveled Seaway Trail. Located between Rochester and Sodus Bay it offers visitors, from near and far, a unique shopping and dining experience in the midst of a historic hamlet in the Town of Williamson. The Landing is among 37 Pultneyville properties, that in 1975, became listed on the National Register of Historic Sites. Today, The Landing at Pultneyville celebrates the creative and culinary abundance of the region as home to Artisans' Loft ... a unique fine art and gift gallery that features the work of local, regional and nationally acclaimed artists, The Pultneyville Grill, an upscale eatery that continues the fine tradition of distinctive dining in casual waterside elegance and Moongate Gallery and Antiques - specializing in high quality authentic Asian antiques, furniture, art, porcelain and collectibles. PRESERVING THE PAST The original structure was built in the mid-1850s for local carpenters Samuel W. Roys and Captain Mervin Pallister. With meticulous attention to detail, and respect for preserving the character and integrity of this historic landmark, an extensive renovation commenced in the fall of 2004. Under the ownership of David and Nancy Lederer, the property, now known as The Landing at Pultneyville, opened for business a year later. The primitive wooden pegs of this post-and-beam structure are still visible in the original part of the building. In 2005, it became home to Artisans' Loft, a unique second-story gallery space where history and art come alive together. The Pultneyville Grill, a full-service restaurant offering distinctive dining in a casual, waterside setting overlooking Lake Ontario, is also located on the upper level of this noted landmark. Located in the immediate area of the War of 1812, the structure was noted as the Pallister Brothers Warehouse on the 1874 map of Pultneyville. It was owned by Albert and Captain Mervin Pallister, sons of John Pallister, an early settler in Pultneyville who in 1827 immigrated with his family to the Port of Pultneyville from Canada and became a prominent citizen in the community. According to the Commercial Press, a monthly newspaper from Pultneyville, by 1869 Samuel W. Roys, one of the original owners, had purchased a farm in Nebraska and had moved. Roys was from a noted family of famous whalers who traveled the world. A PULTNEYVILLE ANCHOR For much of its existence, the warehouse has been fondly referred to as the "old red barn" and continues to hold a treasured place in the history of Pultneyville, a quaint and charming village replete with New England-style architecture. Fruits, vegetables, cedar and locust posts, grain, coal, salt, corn meal, flour, feed, and plaster were shipped or received through the Port of Pultneyville which was also an important stop along the Underground Railroad, from which slaves making their way to new-found freedom in Canada departed. The warehouse was used to store common everyday goods used by community residents and grain was pulled to the top floor, and then transferred by way of a chute, into schooners that sailed from the creek into the waters of Lake Ontario. The property around the building was once a lumber yard supplying the needs of the area's significant steamer and schooner shipping fleet of this bustling lake port. Pultneyville's significant maritime heritage - from ship-building to lake commerce - is impressive. Industries related to lake commerce grew simultaneously and became successful appendages of Pultneyville's shipping commerce. Coastal and Canadian trade became very important to this then-remote region of the country, having a profound impact on shaping the character of this hamlet. Many of the early vessels, including the Fred L. Wells Schooner, were built in, and sailed to and from this once thriving port. The schooner was owned by Captain Mervin Pallister and his brother Albert and could often be seen docked in Salmon Creek along side of the warehouse. It was the last schooner to sail from the Port of Pultneyville as the shipping and mercantile activities in this upstate New York hamlet dwindled in the late 1800s with the advent of the railroad located just 3 miles south. Captain Pallister commanded the Fred L. Wells and was the last of Pultneyville's lake captains. He was described as "a well-known, lovable character known far and wide for his kindly humor." He married Addie Robison in 1868 and lived in what is known in 2008, as the Connors home on Mill Street. He died in 1926. THEN AND NOW In the 21st century, Pultneyville remains a picturesque historic hamlet in the Town of Williamson reflecting the charm and quaintness of long ago. Steeped in history, it continues to take pride in preserving its past and sharing its interesting history with visitors from near and far. Its port, though quieter than in the mid-1850s, is just as scenic. Its coastline remains dotted with traces of a historic past. Throughout the years, the building which for over 150 years was known as the Pallister Brothers Warehouse, had few owners and saw few changes until its extensive renovation. 1858 Pallister Brothers Warehouse built and property used as a lumber yard 1867 Roys & Pallister commenced Forwarding and Commercial business keeping flour, salt, plaster and other goods on hand 1920s Captain Pallister built cottages in back of his warehouse and rented them on weekends to folk who came to Pultneyville's Crescent Beach, a popular lakeside destination for relaxation and fishing until the mid-1900s 1926 Captain Pallister dies; Bill Dunning purchases and takes over Pallister Brothers Warehouse and Lumberyard 1948 Burcroff Marine Construction Company was formed by Robert Burcroff, Sr. and Robert Valore who purchased the land from Mr. Dunning's estate. The company installed reinforcement along creek bed and built an addition onto the warehouse. 1960s Burcroff Marine Construction business folds. The land and warehouse are rented to Marine Resources, Inc. and then to Juhn and Dissen who purchased Marine Resources, Inc. 1982 Dissen and Juhn moved and warehouse is vacated. Fred Cornwall and Tom Dawes rented the property and warehouse from Robert Valore. The Pultneyville Marine Company was formed with the purpose to sell sail and marine supplies to the Yacht Club and Mariners Club. Instead, emphasis becomes support of the sport-fishing base. 1983 A public ramp is constructed behind the "old red barn" to support boat launch and recreational fishing. 1985-2000 Recreational fishing grows, averaging 50 charters per year for each of 20 to 30 charter fishing boats departing from docks along side the warehouse. 2004 David and Nancy Lederer [KBL Corporation] purchased the Mill Street property on east side of Salmon Creek on which the Post Office, Pallister Brothers Warehouse and the Salmon Creek House are situated and renovation of warehouse space commences. 2005 The newly renovated warehouse opens for business as The Landing at Pultneyville, a retail venue, and becomes home to an ice cream shop, guest docks, The Pultneyville Grill, a full-service restaurant offering distinctive dining in a casual waterside setting, and Artisans' Loft - a unique fine art and gift gallery featuring the creative works of local, regional and nationally acclaimed artists. 2006 Becoming a popular meeting place and noted bus tour destination, The Landing is a convenient location and popular meeting place for regional and statewide organizations such as the Seaway Trail, Inc. which held their annual meeting at The Landing in Pultneyville. 2007 Artisans' Loft doubled its size by adding a 700 square foot exhibition and event gallery on the lower level of The Landing at Pultneyville. This space will be used for art exhibits, opening receptions and special events. 2008 The Landing at Pultneyville celebrates the opening of a new three story mixed-used structure on the site of the former Salmon Creek House. Specializing in high quality authentic Asian antique furniture, art, porcelain and collectibles, Moongate Gallery & Antiques opened as the first retail tenant in the new building on 08-08-08. Proprietors are Tom and Sherry Watson of Pultneyville and the opening of their retail venue at The Landing makes historic Pultneyville an even more popular destination along the Seaway Trail. |