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From it's beginning as a hotel bar more than 100
years ago, this small town tavern has been a vital part of the Ballston
Lake community. In 1877, Mr. Caldwell converted a grocery store on Main
Street in the village of south Ballston into the ten room Shendahora
Hotel. South Ballston was renamed Ballston Lake during 1892.
With George Brigg's livery stable in the rear,
the Delaware & Hudson railroad station and the Schenectady-Saratoga
trolley line station across the street, the hotel bar became a natural
gathering place for travelers, townspeople and local farmers.
During the 1890's, one of the areas first telephones was installed at
the hotel. while hunting in the Adirondack's in 1901, Vice President
Theodore Roosevelt was informed of the assassination of President
William McKinley. On his return trip to Washington, the future president
stopped at the hotel for food and news.
William Egan owned the hotel from 1896 until
1911. He changed the name of the establishment to the Ballston Lake
Hotel. This name remained unchanged until 1971. Six of Mr. Egan's seven
children were born in the hotel during his tenure.
In the years between 1911 and 1936, the hotel
had several different owners. One owner, Mr. Murphy, actually closed the
bar during Prohibition. Locals reported that area stills greatly
increased production during this period.
Tom and Catherine McDonough began their 35 year
proprietorship in December of 1936. Katherine ran a tight ship and
patrons guilty of "indiscrete remarks" put a charitable
contribution in Katherine's "Swear Box". After the McDonoughs
closed the tavern, it was operated under many different names and by
several owners. In order of operation, the names of the tavern during
the 1970's were: Lord Nelson's, Rendezvous, Cousin Bruce's Empty Arms
Hotel, and the Main Street Tavern.
Carney's Tavern  opened for business in October of
1982. The original oak barback and tin ceiling recall a time when the
local tavern welcomed travelers and friends from all walks of life. We
recently added an original trolley rail as footrest of our horseshoe
shaped bar. The trolley rail was forged in 1916 at the South Bethlehem
Steel open hearth # IV and serves as a reminder of the railway history
that is such a part of our tavern and our town.
Good food and drinks with honest prices were a
tradition that we are proud to continue today. We invite you to join us
in a friendly, informal atmosphere as we strive to preserve the
tradition that has long been a part of this community.
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