Hicksville Hotels were the end of the line for the Railroad and a Boom for the Hicksville Community.
Hicksville was a place where the middle class made their home and it was the population boom of the 1950s that doubled, then tripled its population. Schools were built faster than anywhere on Long Island.
The hamlet we called home was a community that helped win World War II. Although Grumman was in Bethpage, it got its early start on South Oyster Bay Road when it purchased the Neder family farm. The planes that Grumman built were supported by many defense subcontractors, dotting many areas of our community along Duffy Avenue, West John Street, Cantiague Rock Road, and New South Road.
For many of the families that have been here for many years, they knew that Hicksville was the place to be. Some may recall the Hicksville Aviation Club, where Charles Lindbergh, Amelia Earhart, and the rich and famous landed their aircraft. However, even before then, around the time of the Civil War, 30 years after Hicksville was established, the Long Island Railroad brought many people east from New York City.
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Railroad Depot by Herzog's BuildingOver the span of twenty years, Hicksville had over twelve hotels, mainly around the railroad station at Herzog Place and along Broadway. Travelers, brought east by the railroad, would need to rest at the end of the rail line, Hicksville before proceeding further east on the island by horseback or carriage. Perhaps the most famous hotel of the early 1900’s era was the Grand Central Hotel. This was the hub of social life for many residents and local organizations. Stories have been passed down that this was the place for those who had money.
The Earliest Hotels
Two of the earliest hotels were the Wolgast Hotel located on Broadway by the railroad depot and the Keller’s Hotel in the same vicinity of Herzog Place at Train Depot. It was also known as the White House Hotel. The Keller Hotel was a three-story masonry structure, and the Bank of America now sits on the property. The Keller family continues to have roots in Hicksville.
Wolgast’s Hotel Circa 1900
Whitehouse Hotel - Keller Hotel - Circa 1890's
American Hotel - Circa 1890Then there was Gottert’s Hotel, owned and operated by Charles Gottert. He was a trained carpenter, and purchased the hotel from Frederick Herzog. Charles built the building that local historians will know as the “Kallert Building”. It was on what was known as Gottert’s Block. The American Hotel was also owned by Charles Gottert. Later, it was known as the Sportsman Hotel - The Sportsman's Hotel was located at the corner of Mary Street (Marie Street) and Broadway. It eventually became Henry Huettners second store.
Gottert's Hotel Circa 1890
In addition, there was Vogel’s Hotel, which was also known as the Grand Central Hotel. This hotel was grand in size and located on Broadway, just North of the Railroad tracks on the East side. The hotel was sold a third time and was named the Hicksville Hotel. The Hicksville Hotel was owned by H.J. Remmert and August Hauser.
Grand Central Hotel Circa 1910
Vogel's Hotel - Circa 1900
Staehle's Hotel & Brewery Circa 1905
There was Staehle’s Brewery & Hotel which was owned and operated by Eugene Staehle and located on Broadway and Cherry Street. He was a German immigrant and a master brewer.
More Hicksville Hotels
Reinhardt Hotel - Broadway HotelFolks may recall the Broadway Hotel, later known as Reinhardt’s Hotel located at Broadway and East Carl Street. Frank Reinhardt was the last owner of the hotel. Before Frank purchased the hotel, he worked for about five years at the Windsor Hotel across the street. Members of the Reinhardt family still reside in Hicksville and on Long Island. The hotel was later sold to Schwartz Furniture and the “bones” of the hotel remain in place today, hidden behind what is now the façade of TAS Learning Center.
Horse Shoe Inn 1900Another hotel was the Horseshoe Inn located on East Barclay Street and was owned and operated by Dr. Jacob Boslet. The hotel was affectionately know as Boselet’s Place” and was situated next door to the Ofenloch Garage and Blacksmith Shop. This structure was the last of the hotels to be torn down. It would be operated as the Tower Restaurant & Bar through the 1980’s when JVC Auto Collision purchased the property and expanded their business.
The Germania Hotel, owned and operated by Adolph Lauck, was located on the corner of Broadway and West Marie Street. It was later torn down to make room for Buettner’s Department Store. In 1893 it was run by August Schreiber. There are no photographs available for the Germania Hotel, just the references in the Huntington Long Islander Newspaper.
The Last of Hicksville's Hotels
One of the last of Hicksville’s Hotels, which many still remember today, was the Hicksville Inn. The Hicksville Inn was located at the intersection of Broadway and West John Street. My attention is given to the former Hicksville Inn because it survived the years better than the other old hotels. While looking through old newspapers, there were significant and important events that went hand in hand with our community. From Kiwanis Club, Lions Club, as well as fire department anniversary events that took place in the Hicksville Inn, to the countless weddings, political events, and holiday parties celebrated in its dining area. In 1957, the last of our hotels would be torn down to make room for the new Central Federal Savings and Loans. Wendy's now occupies the location. It was an end of era.
Hicksville Inn - Circa 1920
Hicksville Inn - Circa 1950So, just before the chatter starts, there are still two hotels left in Hicksville. The Hicksville Motor Lodge on Duffy Avenue, originally the Howard Johnsons Motel is now known as the Econo Lodge. Finally there is the Days Inn on South Oyster Bay Road, which was once the Astro Motor Inn. I’m thinking they are not same and the days of holding events and staying over, just isn’t the same either.
