East Fishkill Government, Royal Carting Destroy Local History

Operating in a stealth mode that included failure to communicate intentions with a local preservation organization, a bulldozer under the direction of Royal Carting Service Company and with permission from the Town of East Fishkill (Dutchess County) destroyed the remnants of the historic Griffin’s Tavern during early April. A plaque is all that remains at the historic site in the hamlet of Hopewell Junction.

“It’s hard to believe that the Town of East Fishkill issued a demolition permit to Royal Carting on March 10 and Royal waited until sometime between Friday, April 3, and Saturday, April 4, while we are engaged in a national emergency with the COVID-19 pandemic, to flatten the legendary tavern and the birthplace of liberty in East Fishkill,” commented a disappointed and angry Julie Diddell of the Friends of Griffin’s Tavern.

Along with fellow preservationists, Diddell had been concerned for the site's future, hoping the remains of the historic structure would not be neglected or razed by the property owners. Royal Carting operated its business adjacent to the tavern.

According to Diddell, a plan had been created to preserve the site as a ruin in tribute to its role during the American Revolution. She said that members of the Friends of Griffin’s Tavern had worked tirelessly with the town, the property owner and the community to organize interest in preserving the site.

“I sent a letter on March 9,” added Diddell, “asking to meet so I could show a wonderful and unique conceptual plan to preserve the site as an historic ruin.”

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See Fishkill Tries To Preserve Its Revolutionary Past.

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Destruction Of Local History

The Royal Carting Service Company promotes itself as the “Hudson Valley’s modern, reliable and environmentally-reliable garbage pick-up” company. Emil Panichi founded the company. It presently is managed by his daughters, Eliza and Evelyn.

On the company website, Royal Carting proudly promotes its community service. However, with the destruction of the remnants of the historic tavern, the family appeared to indicate that the company does not have an interest in the preservation of local history associated with America's pursuit of freedom.

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Update: On May 5, 2020, the Fishkill Supply Depot Historic Site wrote to Evelyn Panichi, director of Royal Carting Service Company. The letter, in part, read:

“Several of our members, and specifically those who live in East Fishkill, became extremely upset when the remaining stone structure of Griffin’s Tavern was recently demolished. Some of those Veterans have since cancelled their contracts with Royal carting, and as word of the Tavern destruction is being shared within the local Veterans community, I would anticipate this trend to continue...

“…we would be interested in working with other local Veterans organizations, the Town of East Fishkill, you, and Emil Panichi to develop the Griffin’s Tavern historic site with a new proper interpretation that honors Veterans and the important role this Tavern played in the founding of America…"

To read the entire letter, please click here.

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The Lost Historic Tavern

The private residence known as Griffin's Tavern, or "The Rendez-vous," was owned by Colonel Jacob Griffin. Among the high-ranking Continental Army officers to visit the property from the nearby Fishkill Supply Depot military installation were George Washington, Marquis de Lafayette, Israel Putnam and Baron von Steuben.

The historic structure mostly was destroyed during a 1995 electrical fire. Only brick and stone walls remained on the property that subsequently was purchased by Royal Carting.

The Town of East Fishkill now has joined the neighboring Town of Fishkill in placing commercial development ahead of preserving local history. Over the past five decades, much of the Fishkill Supply Depot in the Town of Fishkill has been lost to development. Remaining open space on the depot footprint, including a cemetery, remains in jeopardy due to development pressures.

As for Griffin’s Tavern, the only identification that this site occupied a unique and important role during the American Revolution is the plaque along the roadway (north side of Route 82 west of its intersection with All Angels Road). That plaque was dedicated by the Daughters of the American Revolution during 1928, when the tavern house stood firm as a witness to history.

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Mike Virgintino is the author of Freedomland U.S.A.: The Definitive History, the story about America's theme park located in The Bronx. Published by Theme Park Press, it can be found on Amazon, eBay, Goodreads and other retailers.