Wilderstein's Boathouse
You are looking at the sight of Wilderstein's boathouse (pictured above) and the Ellerslie dock (formerly Lewis Landing) owned by Governor Morton. In 1888 Arnout Cannon Jr., an architect from Poughkeepsie, NY, designed the boathouse for Robert Suckley's fleet. It was located on a small parcel of land west of the railroad tracks and just south of the Ellerslie dock. The boathouse was rectangular in shape with the slip opening toward the south. Stairs at the side of the slip led to the main floor, an open loft with a dressing room in one corner. Although the boathouse burned in 1937, the deep water port and foundation remain. The foundations of the dockmaster's house for the Ellerslie dock and the remains of the old stone road that once connected Morton Road to Lewis Landing can be seen from the trail as well.
Iceboating drew Robert Suckley from New York City to Wilderstein during the winter months. He had a standing order with the telegraph operator in Rhinecliffe to wire him whenever other boats were out so he could catch the next train from the city. Robert owned two ice yachts named Grace and Dombey.
Marker can be reached from County Road 85, on the left when traveling east.
Courtesy hmdb.org
