Granville’s Oriole Inn: Where Modern Comfort Met Old New England (1915)

In the late spring of 1915, a quiet transformation began in Granville Center.

On a rise nearly 1,200 feet above sea level, workmen gathered at an old colonial house—once the home of Eleazur Levi Brown. The structure, originally built circa 1805 by Joel Root, had stood for more than a century. Now, under the direction of Mrs. John M. Stevenson—Hattie (Cooley) Stevenson, a summer resident with deep ties to the nearby Cooley homestead—it was being brought into a new age, with as many modern conveniences as possible being added.

Steam heat was installed. The best in modern plumbing followed. Hardwood floors replaced worn surfaces, and yet—despite these updates—the mansion retained its old-fashioned fireplaces and historic charm.

By mid-summer, the work was complete.

On July 10, 1915, the doors officially opened to the Oriole Inn and Tea Room.

A Modern Inn with Old New England Charm

Managed by Mrs. F. E. Walker of Short Hills, New Jersey, the Oriole Inn was never intended to be a year-round establishment. It was an elegant summer retreat, designed for those seeking fresh air, scenery, and quiet refinement.

 

Oriole Inn and Tea Room, Granville, Massachusetts

 

Its setting was part of its appeal. Surrounded by fine shade trees and well-kept grounds, the Inn quickly became a welcome stop for both travelers and motorists passing through the Hilltowns.

Even accessibility reflected a blend of old and new: A stagecoach from Westfield arrived twice daily, while increasing numbers of automobile parties pulled in for rest and refreshment.

The Inn was described as “very attractive inside and out… a fine colonial home beautifully restored.”

Outside, recreation awaited. By September 1915, a lawn tennis court had been laid out on the grounds behind the Inn.

 

“BING-IT” lawn tennis game by Noble & Cooley, the world-famous drum makers of Granville, Massachusetts; distributed by the Granville Sales Company.

 

Society, Elegance, Leisure, and Summer Life

From the start, the Oriole Inn was more than a place to stay—it was a social center.

A dinner dance, hosted by Mrs. Merle Dixon Graves of Springfield, marked its grand opening. Soon after, weekly dancing classes were held every Wednesday afternoon under the direction of Mrs. Herbert Knolt of Westfield. 

Guests arrived from across the region and beyond. 

Local residents also made use of the Inn in their own way. Regular Saturday night dances at the Inn were popular and attracted large groups of people. In 1916, it was noted that many in the area would “take-out” dinners—a reminder that even a century ago, convenience had its place. 

The Inn even maintained its own telephone connection—number 13-12—and by August 1915, a woman’s exchange had been established there.

The Height of Popularity

By the summer of 1916, the Oriole Inn had reached its peak.

Opening on June 17 under the management of Mrs. Marion S. Walker, it quickly filled with guests. The surrounding countryside added to its appeal—1916 was an excellent year for Granville’s blueberry farmers, with large quantities of unusually fine berries harvested. The region was alive with seasonal activity.

 

In her 1916 novel "Sylvia of the Hill Top," published by The Page Company of Boston, Massachusetts, author Margaret Rebecca Piper makes reference to an “Oriole Inn”—a name and place that closely mirrors Granville’s own. The book part of a series. It is a sequel to "Sylvia's Experiment," published 1914.

 

Social groups made the Inn a destination. The Skat Club motored in for luncheon and cards on June 27, 1916. Demand was so strong that by August, the Inn was completely sold out, forcing some visitors to find lodging elsewhere. 

A straw ride carrying nearly forty people arrived on August 29. The Y.M.C.A. department heads selected the Inn for their annual fall gathering. They held their conference and supper at the Inn on September 13, 1916. 

 

The Oriole Inn's sign was painted by commercial painter H. E. Ames of Pittsfield, Massachusetts

 

Loss and Transition

But even as the Inn flourished, change was on the horizon.

On March 20, 1916, the community was shocked by the sudden death of John M. Stevenson of Pittsfield, whose family had been instrumental in establishing the Inn. His passing marked a turning point.

In 1917, further disruption followed. When William Spellman fell ill, his daughter—Marion Walker—was unable to manage the Inn. Operations were instead taken over by the Ye Rose Tree Inn of Northampton.

Mrs. Hattie Stevenson died in August 1918. And by 1919, the era of the Oriole Inn as a public summer retreat had come to an end.

 

Cover of "Sylvia of the Hill Top" by Margaret Rebecca Piper (Boston: The Page Company, 1916), the second in a series. Within its pages is the opening of a tea room in July called the “Oriole Inn,” originally intended to be named “The Brown House” after the family who once owned it—an intriguing parallel to the real-life Oriole Inn in Granville. Piper herself was born in Massachusetts, adding a possible regional connection to the story.

 

From Inn to Private Residence

In May 1919, Hattie and John’s son, Dr. Holland Newton Stevenson of Pelham, New York, took ownership of the former Oriole Inn property, converting it into a private summer residence.

In her will, Hattie had expressed a clear wish that the Cooley homestead be kept within the family, directing that it pass to whichever of her children offered the highest bid, with all furnishings to remain in place. Of their four children, her son John acquired the Cooley homestead at 662 Main Road, while Dr. Holland Stevenson purchased the former Oriole Inn property.

That same season, members of the Wright family—relatives by marriage—arrived from Schenectady and began making further improvements to the former inn property. The house, once filled with guests and summer activity, settled into a quieter role.

By 1920, the property continued to serve as a seasonal home for the extended family.

Legacy 

Though its years as an inn were brief, the Oriole Inn left a distinct mark on Granville Center.

It represented a moment in time when historic homes were re-imagined for modern comfort, when stagecoaches and automobiles shared the road, and when summer life in the Massachusetts Hilltowns brought together visitors from near and far.

John and Hattie Stevenson, whose love for Granville shone through their generosity, saw their vision come to life, and for a few short seasons, the Oriole Inn and Tea Room stood as a place of rest, recreation, and refinement—a summer haven perched high above the valley, now largely forgotten but not entirely lost to time, remaining connected to the Stevenson family as it stands gracefully at 687 Main Road.

 

  — Another story preserved by the Southwick Time Machine

 

Oriole Inn and Tea Room: 1915 — 1919

 

 This article is based on original primary-source research, including but not limited to official documents, census data, real estate and tax records, period maps, directories, and newspapers, archives of the Noble & Cooley Center for Historic Preservation's Granville History Digital Collection, and the"History of Granville, Massachusetts" (1954), by Albion B. Wilson (Published by: Lavinia Rose Wilson and printed by Connecticut Printers, Incorporated of Hartford, Connecticut). Southwick Time Machine stories are living documents. Research is ongoing, and this account may evolve as new information comes to light.

 

The photographs accompanying this story are authentic, unless otherwise noted. In keeping with historical preservation standards, some of the images may have been digitally enhanced for clarity and detail, without altering the original subjects. 

 

Help support the Southwick Time Machine in preserving stories like Granville’s elegant Oriole Inn & Tea Room—real pieces of local history worth remembering.

 

At the Root of the Oriole Inn 

Long before the property became known as the Oriole Inn, it was the home of Joel Root, a prominent resident of Granville whose life reflects the patterns of early nineteenth-century New England.

Root began his business pursuits at a young age and, over time, accumulated a considerable amount of property for the period. His homestead, which would later welcome travelers as the Oriole Inn, stood as the center of both his household and his success.

On January 22, 1804, he married Sarah “Sally” Ensign (born January 18, 1782). She died on August 25, 1806, leaving him with a young son, Louis Ensign Root (born March 4, 1805). On March 13, 1811, Root married her younger sister, Clarissa Ensign (born March 31, 1790), who was nearly nineteen years his junior—a difference not unusual for the time. Among their children was Sarah Ann Root, born May 16, 1812, named in remembrance of his first wife. Clarissa survived her husband by many years, dying on July 14, 1874.

Root was active in local government, serving as a selectman in 1825, 1826, and 1831. In 1839, the household experienced a period of loss: his son Louis, who had studied law and later become a banker in New York City, returned home and died in the family house on August 31 at just 34 years old, of consumption. Joel Root himself died less than a month later, on September 28, 1839.

In the years after Root’s death, the property passed through other owners, including the Browns, before its brief life as the Oriole Inn and Tea Room.

Though Joel Root never saw the house as an inn, his family’s legacy endured in its walls, which would later serve other families and visitors alike.

   

Edited Out/Author's Additional Research Notes

Joel Root: June 5, 1771 -  September 28, 1839 

Eleazur Levi Brown: January 11, 1825 - October 12, 1905

John McAllister Stevenson: August 31, 1846 - March 20, 1916

Hattie (Cooley) Stevenson: January 27, 1852 - August 24, 1918 

Mrs. Merle Graves was their daughter. (Sister to Dr. Holland N. Stevenson)

Dr. Holland Newton Stevenson (John and Hattie's son). He died in 1959.

Dr. Stevenson's first wife was Grace Wright. After she passed away he married Katherine Brady.  

Dr. Stevenson's son (with Katherine) John C. eventually became owner of the home.  

Hattie died about 2 AM.  

Merle Graves was an attorney.  

John and Hattie wed on January 27, 1880 

Hattie's grandfather was Reverend Dr. Timothy M. Cooley who was pastor in Granville for 60+ years. (Dr. Cooley: March 13, 1772 - December 14, 1859)

Timothy Cooley sent out two groups - one founded Granville, New York, and the other Granville, Ohio. Hattie was a guest of honor at the Granville, Ohio 100th anniversary celebration.  

Some of guests who stayed at the Oriole Inn

• Mrs. Allen of Baltimore, Maryland
• Mrs. Crossley of Coldbrook, Connecticut
• Miss Bailey of Springfield, Massachusetts
• Miss Clara Reed of Westfield, Massachusetts
• Mrs. Charles Bassett and Miss Bassett of Summit, New Jersey
• Mrs. Frank Metcalf of Holyoke, Massachusetts
  
• Mr. William Spellman of Short Hills, New Jersey
• Mr. W.B. Reed (leased the Inn in 1918 and 1919)
  

 

Sources vary on the construction date: 1805, 1810, and 1814. However, 1805 appears correct.  

The Oriole Inn had a license in 1819 but it did not technically serve as an inn.

John M. Stevenson was an insurance executive- he was a longtime treasure of the Berkshire Mutual Fire Insurance Company. 

John and Hattie were some of the top tax payers in Pittsfield.  

An auction was held in February 1919 to auction off Hattie's estate (farm equipment, livestock, supplies). 

Hattie's son, John, bought the Cooley homestead for $18,810. The sale included all of the furnishings. 

The sign that hung outside the Inn featured a beautifully painted bird, flanked by the dates 1853 and 1915. While 1915 marked the opening of the Oriole Inn, 1853 may have referenced Mrs. Stevenson’s early life or a family milestone, tying the property to the couple who brought the Inn to life.

In the book, "Sylvia of the Hill Top," the Inn is at the bottom of a hill.  

The Stevenson family gave a lot to Granville (for only being summer residents). They created the Granville Centre Water Co. (inc. 1910). Other family members lived there longer or had summer homes. 

Lots of places used bird names during this period.  

Hattie was very charitable. Many of her charitable contributions were done privately with no recognition.  

Hattie left behind a valuable estate. The inventory took 31 type pages. Her personal property was valued at $472,879.79 and her real estate at $93,630.

The Graves owned a country estate in Granville.  

Eleazur is sometimes spelled as Eleazor and Eleazar.

Eleazur Brown reportedly owned the property from 1870 to 1894 - but this does NOT appear to be correct. The Browns occupied the home starting around 1858-59. Mrs. Charles Root purchased her childhood home. She sold it in 1910. Dr. Holland Stevenson owned it after Hattie died.

Eleazur was in the powder business. He had a powder mill in Southwick (and possibly one in Westfield). He served Granville in various positions (town clerk, selectman).

During laurel season in Granville,  the Oriole Inn would send a booklet on application. 

Skat was a popular 32 deck strategic German card game.  

The Roots are connected to the Spellmans.

Returning guests reflected the Inn’s growing reputation, attracting high society and common folks.

Gilbert Wright of Schenectady, New York (father inlaw of Dr. Stevenson) was occuping the house and making many improvements on the property. Mrs. Stevenson parents - Mr. and Mrs. Wright - arrived to the Inn as well as the Stevenson’s children in early May 1919.

In June 1920, Mr. and Mrs. Wright and two grandsons were at the former Oriole Inn for the summer.

John Stevenson and his wife, Hattie, lived in Granville part time, but were very active in the town's affairs, both politically and socially. (John and Hattie's son was an attorney named John III)

Dr. Holland Stevenson purchased the old Town Hall and the property it sat on. The sales was completed on August 11, 1924. (At a special town meeting on November 7, 1922, it was voted to sell the old town hall). 

A few years after his first wife died, Dr. Holland Stevenson remarried in 1936.

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