A piece of Charlton’s history was wiped away in the early hours of Saturday, Jan. 10, when the Charlton Tavern and an adjoining house burned to the ground.
The accidental fire was electrical, having started in the back of the kitchen, according to the Charlton Volunteer Fire Department, which responded to the blaze at 4:30 a.m.
Within 15 minutes, we had 100-foot flames coming from the building, said Charlton Fire Department Chief Dean DeCapria.
Winds spread the fire next door to 743 Charlton Road, the home of David and Lynda Green. Like the tavern, theirs was a historic structure dating back to the town’s earliest days, and it was destroyed.
A relief fund for the Greens has been established by the Charlton Fire Department. Those wishing to donate may do so at any area Trustco Bank, or mail a check made out to David and Lynda Green to Trustco Bank, 286 Saratoga Road, Scotia 12302.
There were no serious casualties from the blaze, but three firefighters did fall on ice that formed in the low temperatures and suffered neck and back injuries. Fighting the fire was especially difficult because the spray from hoses froze instantly, and some hydrants were not even operational. Water tankers were brought in, as was salt to break up the ice.
Thirteen fire departments were involved on the scene, rotating in and out, and seven others were called upon to cover calls for responding units.
Located in the center of the rural town, the tavern ` previously referred to as the Charlton House ` was far more than a bar or eatery.
`It was certainly an integral part of the Hamlet of Charlton,` said Supervisor Alan Grattidge. `It was an historic building and provided a place where people met and socialized. It’s a huge loss for the town.`
The Greens’ house and the tavern were the foundation of Charlton’s historic district, settled in 1774 on land bought and surveyed by settler Jesse Conde. He sold 10 lots of land that now make up the eastern edge of the hamlet. The historic district still contains almost 60 historic properties.
On one of those lots was a building that housed a blacksmith, carriage shop and was home to many families, most recently the Greens.
Next door, the Charlton Tavern was built in 1787 and first served its function as the Amos Smith Tavern, circa 1791. Though it was also a grocery store, general store and western clothing outlet in the 20th century, from its earliest years, the tavern served first and foremost as a gathering place for the community.
`It was the anchor ` as a tavern and a public place ` from the very beginning of Charlton,` said Town of Charlton Historian Laura Linder. `It was the original building from the very beginning of the community. This was the heart of Charlton.`
Up until this past weekend, the tavern was the location of historical society banquets and celebrations of all types. It was a popular stop for Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake sports teams after games.
Over a half-century ago, the tavern escaped damage when a storage barn behind it caught fire on a cold New Year’s Day. The 1954 blaze reportedly caused problems for firefighters that were similar to those experienced Saturday morning.
A few years later, in 1969, William Maloney bought the structure and restored it to a functioning tavern and restaurant. He died recently, and his funeral procession ended at the tavern just two days before it was consumed by fire.“