Riverside Inn and the Dennys River Inn, Dennysville, Maine.
John Allan, son of Mark, built a small house on Water Street on the slope of Store Hill to which, in 1834, he added a two-story front section. He and his wife, Lydia (Kilby) operated an inn there from 1835 until May 11, 1839, enjoying a large patronage, mainly due to land speculators occurring at that time. Prior to 1887 the house formerly occupied by Johanna and Lydia Allan was again opened to the public, this time as a first class boarding house kept by Mrs. Emma (Eldridge) Allan, wife of John K. Allan. When the character and excellent qualities of the house became known, her patrons urged the proprietor to operate on a larger scale. Acceding to their wishes, she converted her home into "Riverside Inn" in 1887, Her comfortable accommodations and excellent cuisine gained a fine reputation. In addition to weary, hungry travelers and sportsman, her patrons included various organizations and family groups from surrounding towns, as well as local folks who indulged in delicious meals for special occasions. In 1888, from May 24 to December 31, guests at Riverside Inn represented nine states, three Canadian provinces, and Washington D.C. Those whose residence was Maine came from thirty towns, twenty-three of which were in Washington County, including villages nearby, such as Charlotte, Cooper, Edmunds, Marion, Pembroke, Trescott and Whiting. At that time, before the advent of either the railroad or the automobile, most patrons also had horses put up at the livery stable. From 1937 until 1942 R. Forrest Higgins, grandson of Susan Comber, and his wife, Mary (Scott) operated the hotel but under a different name, "The Original Allan House." Although the Inn had not been continuously open to the public, the year of its final closing, 1942, was over a hundred years after its initial opening, 1835. During those years people from a multitude of places and from many walks of life enjoyed comfortable accommodations and excellent food. Among the patrons of interest were Dr. William Powers, Principal of Washington State Normal School, Machias, Mrs. Jacob Riis, wife of the famed journalist and humanitarian; William Tudor Gardner, Governor of Maine; William R. Pattangal, Attorney and Chief Justice, Augusta; and Grover Cleveland, President of the United States. In 1962, Mary Higgins, widow of Forrest, sold the property to Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Noyes, who raised their family there. In the early 1800's Capt. Ebenezer C. Wilder built a small dwelling on his property on The Lane. In 1834 he added a two-story house to the original structure. He and his wife Abigail (Ayer) then opened "Wilder's Hotel" which, according to the swinging sign, offered shelter and food to wayfarers and weary beasts under the roofs of their houses and barn. In those days, the drovers who travelled through the country with large herds of cattle "from the Kennebec," were lodgers at hostelries such as Wilders'. In later years, the hotel was operated by George W. Wilder, the youngest son of the family, who conducted the affairs so as to gain the favor of patrons of the house. Elijah A. Wilder succeeded his brother as proprietor a few years before the property was purchased in 1865 by John D. Allan. The building then became "Allan's Hotel" and continued to provide the public with fine meals, clean, soft beds, and attentive service. On August 3, 1875, President Ulysses S. Grant was a guest at Allan's Hotel, accompanied by General Hastings of Washington and G.T. Granger of Calais. The surprising fact is that their bill, including the fee for the care of their two horse, was charged! Allan's Hotel also served as the site of the County Republican Conventions during the years when delegates arrived by horse and buggy. Mr. Allan conducted the business for about twenty-five years, closing in 1890. In 1896 J.D. Allan tore down the original E.C. Wilder house and removed the two-story section, which later became Howard Laughton's barber shop. He then had a handsome, two-story residence built by Nathan Foster, who also built the Pomeroy mansion and the Odd Fellows' Hall in Pembroke. The new livery stable provided ample room to accompany the increased number of horses which resulted from heavier traffic. Herbert H. Allan, son of John D. opened the fine home to the public, as "H.H. Allan's Hotel" in 1932, operating it until his death in 1942. Herbert Allan's widow, Eleanor (Sherrard) succeeded him, conducting the business until the property was purchased by Mr., and Mrs. Fred Johnson, Jr., who continued to offer the public service as "Dennys River Inn." Robert and Hyla Godfrey were the next proprietors of the Inn, operating it from 1952 until 1969, and becoming well known for their delicious corn fritters and fine braided rugs. Mrs. Blanche Reed, successor of the Godfreys, was the last to have the stately house opened to the public. After being vacant a number of years, it was sold in 1985 to the Estep family for a private house.
