The Eagle Hotel originally was known as the E.T. Smith Hotel, was built after the Civil War in 1878. The Downsville News (August 14, 1903) reported that an 18 x 24, two story addition was built on the rear of the hotel. The Smith family ran the hotel until Homer Gladstone purchased the hotel from Mrs. Edson Smith after the death of her husband in the late 1920’s. Homer sold the hotel in 1959 to Charles Amato. Amato continued the business for almost thirty years until a blaze started behind the dining room fireplace. On a bitter minus 10-degree night on January 9, 1988. The building was destroyed in less than six hours.
“Mrs. Lorna DuMond of Walton, daughter of Mr. Gladstone recalls that it was a bustling place during the 30’s and on through the construction of the Downsville dam and Pepacton Reservoir. I remember we used to serve full Sunday dinners for 50 cents, from soup to dessert,” she said, also saying “many banquets were held in the place. The clientele ranged from farmers to dam workers to politicians.”
Oneonta Daily Star, January 10, 1988.
Colchester Historical Society 