Saturday morning. I’m driving back to the 518 after a successful photo shoot. It’s a cold day on the New York State Thruway, and I’m just trying to keep warm and stay focused on the road. How many times have I driven this highway? Too many times, I think… it’s not like I notice anything new on my travels –
Hey, what was that?
It looked like a big barn on my left. A barn with a sign on the front – a sign that I thought said “Jerry’s.”
Wow, if I could get a picture of that…
Hmm… I don’t see an off-ramp, just a bridge for State Route 81. Oh well, maybe I’ll come across –
Wait a sec. There’s an off-ramp two miles forward, Exit 21 to Coxsackie and Greene County. You know what? Let’s see if I can connect here.
I took the off-ramp, then followed the signs to Route 81. And lo and behold…
I drove over the bridge that spanned the Thruway. Maybe… just maybe…
One left turn on Van Riper Road…
And there it was. The barn.
Oh I gotta get a picture of this. Nikon Df camera at the ready, with a 28mm Nikkor f/2.8 pancake lens attached to the chassis.
And I got it.
Well, while I’m here, I took another picture, this time of the barn in profile.
But here’s the problem. I don’t know anything about this barn – whether it was a tavern, or a nightspot, or just a private residence that belonged to a very modest guy named Jerry.
All I know is that at some point in time, this establishment had a sign that could be seen from the New York State Thruway, in such an angle so that people would know to get off at the next exit to arrive at this establishment.
After that…. I got nothin’.
So I’m hoping that my blog readers can help me out on this one.
I mean, it’s a great photo subject and all… I just wish I knew more about the establishment.
Chuck The Writer 
Chuck, this post really caught my imagination — and after a little sleuthing, I think I found a couple of clues.
Below are several references to Jerry’s Roadhouse in Climax, the charmingly named hamlet near where Rt 81 crosses the Thruway in Coxsackie:
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nygreen2/ye_olden_time_17.htm
http://bit.ly/195A3GW
The second link, mentioning Jerry’s as a Legs Diamond hangout, is especially interesting. Same place? I don’t know, but the pieces seem to fit.
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Thanks Rob. Definitely appreciate your detective work on this one.
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Coxsacking usually leads to Climax.
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Unless she says, “Canajoharie up already?”
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zing!
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I’ll have to look the next time I go down to the City. You really have me intrigued! I will have to keep my nose out of a book and look out the window of the Greyhound. I’m more apt to do that when I go west. I only do that once or twice a year so the route & scenery are not as overly familiar. I wonder if it was a hotel, a bed & breakfast before the concept was developed. Keep us posted, Chuck!
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This was indeed Jerry’s Roadhouse. I have a picture of the interior of this place with Jerry and his staff. I will post it when I find it.
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I currently have this property for sale. I am friends with the owner and know some of the history because she grew up there and her family also ran a restaurant there. When I get the whole story on the history I will let you know.
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i reposted your pitc.a friend of my said thats jerry”s clamix inn..thats all i got for now
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Chuck;
I am from the area. I used to work for the Town of Coxsackie with the Town Historian. His name is Michael Rausch and his email address is mhrausch@mhcable.com.
He also works at the Bronck Museum in Coxsackie, a huge part of the history of the area. He would be able to provide you with more information.
It is ashamed that the former historian died several years back. He knew everything about everything in the town, and carried the age to back it up.
Good luck hunting, and Great rustic picture.
Cheers!
Leon J Rice
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The Hotel was originally called Jerry’s Climax Hotel. Because of the town Climax. There was also a dance hall across the way. There were other buildings as well including a garage that had a dugout for fixing cars as at that time there were no lifts. It was a hopping place. After my family bought the property my mother, father a d uncle…Grace Albert and Luigi Menna opened an itailan restaurant called Suzies Hero Shop as well as an antique and auction barn called the Live Wire and then Gals Antique showcase ( Grace Albert Louise Sandy). Some of the buildings were demolished like the dance hall any other buildings because of safety issues. When we first lived there the only running water was a well. I’m not quit sure who Jerry was because I have forgotten that as I was really young and my family is deceased. My aunt is still alive and she may know more. But it was definitely a rocking place. I will update if I learn anything else. Oh it used to be Star Rt. 81 before Van riper Rd. We were originally from the the Bronx and my mother had Restaurants in Harlem and decided to open one up here as the neighborhood was getting bad. As a side not the sign originally said Jerry’s Climax Hotel. That other part of it fell apart.
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My GrandFather Phil Dolan use to tend bar there I was just informed from my Mom it was a Hot spot before 81 was put in
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It was Jeremy’s road house, It was a old bedand breakfast. I know this because I was going to buy it.
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I think you must be mistaken because my family as owned this propert for more than 40 years. Before that it was Jerrys
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Thanks Louise and everyone for some history on this property. This property is currently listed for sale. You can check out additional info if you are interested. http://Www.heartlandupstate.com. It is listing # 94777. We just lowered the price!! If you are interested you can email me. Dolores@heartlandupstate.com 🙂
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Back in the 1930’s this was a hotel with a bar in another adjoining building. It was a beautiful place. One night in the bar a man was killed, either shot or stabbed. There were rumors that it was mob related and the place was closed down. They lost their liquor license and no one has been able to obtain one since. Hope this helps. It is all the knowledge we have on the place.
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