Hague Hotels
Swinford Lodge
Camp Garryowen/Swinford Lodge/Hayford Lodge
This unique building was originally built as a summer camp for Florence and Herbert Slocum. It was first called Garryowen and was designed by Harry Watrous. It was built in the classic shingle style. It features a shingle exterior, flared porch posts, shingle covering on the posts, a rounded porch and a rounded room at the far left end, a pent roof over the entry porch, a gambrel style roof, dormers and other features that complicate the roof, and diamond-shaped small paned windows. The fireplace in the far left has above the mantle of brain coral imported from Borneo, which makes it quite unique. The other stonework in the curved sections below the mantles of that fireplace and the stonework of the large living room fireplace are also quite exceptional.
The house was originally called Camp Garryowen by the Slocum family in the early 1900s. Herbert G. Slocum, Colonel US Army, was an officer in the 7th Calvary, the Custer massacre regiment. He joined the regiment a few years after the massacre and his memories were still very vivid. Garryowen was the 7th Calvary's Irish tune. It was a tradition that if anyone proposed a toast to the 7th Calvary, one foot must be on the table. This tradition was followed faithfully by the Slocums. “I have seen it done.” (Catherine Mills Price)
In 1946, the Slocums sold the property to Lenora Swinford. A brochure for the Swinford Lodge says that it “is operated on the American plan and is noted for its fine cooking…. There are boats, private bathing beach, and tennis court for guests.”
In 1958, Lenora Swinford sold the property to Vernon and Elise Hayford. We don't have much information about this time period; if you do, please contact us!
In 1965, Elise Hayford conveyed the premises to Ann and Perry King and it became a private home. The Kings later moved two doors to the north.
Many necessary renovations began in 1979 with Douglas Madden and continued with the Vanderveers, the Pedlows, and the Lee/Riley families. The Vanderveers added the large sun deck/carport and the second floor sliding window deck, and they cut the massive pine tree that was growing next to the circular porch.
“Sometimes when there were roomers that liked country music, we would roll up the rugs, move the furniture, and have a square dance. Dad would play the guitar and his friends would play the violin (fiddles) and piano. We had lots of fun.” Welma Hayford Ryan, 2009
“The Army had come to Hague—the Barths and Slocums, Spear, Patterson--so you see a lot of Indian rugs and artifacts from the Wild West, so to speak. And they come from that part of the country--Army people retirees, and I don't know why they like the Adirondacks but they did.” Julia Corscaden Beaty interview August 7, 2005
“It was too large and overwhelming. My first husband, Dennis Hens, bought it with three other partners—HHMM Inc.--and they just came and partied there. They did little work. We lived there only one winter--it was cozy in the far left side but it was just too much for me with a baby.” Pam Carney Bressett
“I remember mounted old animals: an owl, falcon, and beaver. Tim, Dan, Pat, and I auctioned off these to our friends so we could go buy a case of beer. They may be in people's homes or they were thrown out.” Peg King Carney
Timeline:
1901: E.S.N. Watrous to Florence B. Slocum
1946: Herbert J. Slocum conveyed the premises to Lenora Swinford.
1958: Lenora Swinford conveyed the premises to Vernon and Elise Hayford.
1965: Elise Hayford conveyed the premises to Ann and Perry King.
1973: Perry and Ann King conveyed the premises to HHMM Inc. (Dennis Hans and associates)
1979: HHMM Inc. conveyed the premises to Douglas and Deanna Madden.
1985: Douglas and Deanna Madden conveyed the premises to Pam Peterson.
1986: Pam Peterson conveyed subdivided house and 1.1 acres to William and Mary Vanderveer.
1999: William and Mary Vanderveer conveyed the premises to Rob and Cristen Pedlow.
2002: Rob and Cristen Pedlow conveyed the premises to Katherine Lee (Lee/Riley family).