Smithtown, A History: The Hallock Inn

Today Smithtown residents will find an Allergy and Immunology office at 263 E. Main Street on the eastern border of Village of the Branch. In the early days of our town, the charming structure was the Hallock Inn.

Built around 1725 by Thomas Hallock, the inn was run by him and later by his son James. According to “Colonel Rockwell’s Scrap-Book” published in 1968 by the Smithtown Historical Society, Hallock’s provided lodging for those traveling by stagecoach and served as a popular local meeting spot as well as a place to hold social events.

Originally a three-bay half house, a two-bay addition was later added to the west side of the structure. This section featured Greek Revival trim and a larger room on the second floor could be separated by a partition and used as meeting rooms.

According to Rockwell’s book, the inn was frequented by British soldiers who occupied the town during the Revolutionary War. It also served as a meeting spot for the Masonic Lodge from 1806 to 1818. From 1832 until 1868, annual town meetings were held at the inn.

Local historian Brad Harris said the inn was also frequented by Walt Whitman from 1837 to 1838. While teaching in Smithtown, Whitman would eat at Hallock’s.

In Noel Gish’s book “Smithtown New York 1660 – 1929 Looking through the Lens”, he wrote that the first library could be found at the inn. The library consisted of 330 books, and lasted there until about 1870.

Hallock’s Inn was acquired by Guy H. Turrell, M.D in 1905. The Turrell family played a big part in preserving our local history.

According to Harris, Turrell had a son Loring who was interested in the natural history of Smithtown. Loring was the author and illustrator of “The Natural History of Smithtown: A Monograph on the Zoology and Botany of the Township of Smithtown, Suffolk County, NY” published in 1939. The detailed maps from the book can be viewed at the Long Island Room of the Smithtown Library’s main branch.

Virginia Turrell was the last of her family to live at the Hallock Inn. Harris said she was involved in the Smithtown Branch Preservation Association and was extremely active in preserving and maintaining the old homes and properties in our town including the structures at the Blydenburgh Historical District.

As for Turrell’s time living in the Hallock Inn, Harris said, “She kept it as it was. It was like visiting a museum.”

According to a June 4, 1981 “Smithtown News” article, Turrell sold the 15-room home to Landing Manor Realty. Twenty years ago Daniel Mayer, M.D. purchased the inn for his practice. While the Hallock Inn has undergone some renovations during recent years, it still maintains the feel of earlier days.

Listed on the National Register of Historical Places in 1974, the Hallock Inn still exists today for Smithtown Residents to appreciate our rich history.