Democrat and Chronicle from Rochester, New York • Page 155

Dy VAUSHN FQLttENTEER In Bushnell's Basin they call it the "Old Richardson Tavern." When it was built in 1 8 1 8 it was known as the "West End of the Canal Inn," and it was a commercial hub of sorts in the days when Bushnell's Basin was an important stop on the Erie Canal. Today, canal boaters rush past the old inn with scarcely a look, and it has fallen on hard times. It was known as the Exchange Hotel in the years before Prohibition, and after the last drink was hoisted there in 1929, the building was converted into apartments. In recent years it's stood empty. The clapboard siding is showing the ruin of 160 Upstate winters, and the old porches are broken and sagging.

Windows are shattered, a tree has fallen on the upper story, the lot is overgrown with weeds and saplings, and the trees along the canal seem to be creeping up on the old tavern, drawing it to the water's edge, and back into tne wilderness and decay. A "for sale" sign has been tacked on its sidc these past few months, and there's a strong likelihood that the tavern may be demolished. "It's an important build-ing, historically," said Billie Harrington, executive director of the Landmark Society of Western New York, "but it's in sad shape. It's definitely salvageable, if someone started now." Mrs. Harrington pointed out that the Richardson Tavern is in danger of being destroyed, even if it never sees a wrecker's ball.

"Neglect is one of the biggest enemies of preservation, and one that is very difficult to come to grips with. Since we live in a democracy, it's very hard to tell someone what to do with their own property. "Once a building is vacant, then the owner has no problems with building codes, safety regulations, or anything. And if the owner liSS? im'i. All SMI LflsP ffij Above, the old Gothic crematorium at Mt.

Hope Cemetery stands empty, and the city is looking for a tenant. Right, the United States Hotel on West Main Street is condemned and probably will be beyond repair by the time the city takes over. 11 iiv? 1 1 in 1 k. 11 in Tm 1111 I IHlllliMHIIliiiimi Ill' hl'lM.