1710
Built as a private residence of local quarry stone. The site was chosen on the advise of local Lenni Lenape Indians who warned of flooding in the valley. Thanks to their advise, the Inn has been spared flooding for nearly 300 years. Four original chimneys enabled effective heating of the building from the basement to the attic on the third floor.
1776 - 1777
The river ferry at located at Howell's Ferry (now the town of Stockton) was one of few ferries used by George Washington and his troops in the famous crossing of the Delaware River. The recapture of Trenton turned the tide of the Revolutionary War. The strategic use of the Delaware River and all water crafts including the Howell Ferry by Washington enabled his great success against the British.
1796
A tavern license was issued to Howell, the owner of the ferry on the original Old York Road.
1832
Extensive renovation by Asher Johnson included the creation of a tavern called "The Farmer's Bar" which today is known as "The Old Town Bar". The Delaware and Raritan Canal opened bringing an increase in local business and the need for an inn.
1859
Mr. Stockton, a descendant of Richard Stockton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, brought the railroad through town, adding greatly to the town's prosperity. The town's name was changed to Stockton.
1888
The Stockton Inn was known as Hockenbury's Hotel at this time. When one of the seven local quarries exploded, The Philadelphia Times reported on the "blast of '88", making Stockton famous. Stockton and Hockenbury's Hotel had never been so crowded with visitors.
1914
The Weiss family purchased the Stockton Inn. Originally from the Alsace-Lorraine region of France, the Weiss family introduced many of the family traditions at the inn such as the unique painting of the Wine Cave and the elfen charachters.
1922
Elizabeth Weiss purchased the Stockton Inn from her mother at auction. She had earlier married Joe Colligan, an artist who worked part-time as a bartender at the Inn. They had five sons who later ran the Inn with their mother. Joseph Colligan passed away about 1931 leaving the burden of responsibility to the eldest son Bill. Over the 70 years and three generations Bill, Jack, Ed and Charlie took turns running the Inn.
Joe Colligan having developed a close contact with the local art community at Phillips Mill, brought in Robert A. D. Miller to paint the mural scenes. The painting began about 1929 and was completed by early 1935. Two of the murals were painted by friends of RAD Miller. The beautiful murals represent detailed scenes from the surrounding countryside and rural towns incorporating much of the history including the canal, the fire of 1905, and local event venues such as Music Mountain in Lambertville and the Flemington Fairgrounds and Race Track.
1933
Lorenz Hart, musical collaborator with Richard Rodgers, wrote the song, "There's A Small Hotel." That famous song was inspired by the Stockton Inn and it's tranquil garden setting. The song was originally intended for the Broadway Musical Jumbo produced by Billy Rose. Because of the length of the production, the song was pulled just before opening and later appeared in another of Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Harts collaborations, a 1936 Broadway hit, On Your Toes.
1935
During the Hauptman-Lindbergh trial in Flemington, N.J. concerning the kidnapping of the Lindburgh baby, the Inn, now known as Colligan's became famous for food, drink, and overnight hospitality due to the overflow of writers and others needing a place to stay and dine. Secret pre-trial meetings were held at the Inn.
1940's
Band leader Paul Whiteman kept a regular table at Colligan's and signed off his radio and TV shows announcing he was "going to dinner at Ma Colligan's". The Inn became a mecca for writers, artists, and thespians. A table favored by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Dorothy Parker, Robert Benchley, Damon Runyon and S. J. Perleman became known as the "Algonquin Roundtable" in honor of their New York City hangout.
1950 - 1970's
The thriving heart and soul of the Stockton Inn is continued by the Colligan Family in many ways. They worked closely with the community, supported endeavors to further build the community, and continued the long tradition of energy with an extensive variety of music supported by the far reaching contacts by Bill, Jack, Ed, and Charlie. Charlie Colligan was initally in New York running the restaurant that later became the Stage Door Deli before returning to his old haunts in Stockton. Over the years many celebrities from the arts, media, and political worlds visited Colligan's and enjoyed their warmth and hospitatlity.
1983
Frank P. Smeal purchased the Inn from the Colligan's and renamed it The Stockton Inn. On Your Toes played on Broadway, in revival, at the Virginia Theater on 52nd Street, New York until the summer of 1984. During this year Frank Smeal purchased an adjacent property that is now called the Federal House. The property was modified into 4 additional guest rooms with a small garden outside the ground floor Garden Room.
1985
After extensive renovation, 11 guest rooms were opened to corporations and friends, the elegant "hunt club" decor of The Fox dining room was introduced to the public, and after months of rebuilding, The Garden, our protected dining terrace with waterfalls, trout pond, and garden bar reopened. The Silver Dollar bar in the garden was rejuvenated and used for special events.
1990
The Inn was invited by Country Inns Magazine's Great "Country Inns Chefs" series to showcase its culinary talent at the James Beard House in Greenwich Village, New York.
1997-1998
Jack Boehlert purchased the Inn and worked diligently to continue the long standing history of fine dining cuisine. The Philadelphia Inquirer wrote "The Stockton Inn seems more attractive and the food better than ever". "Remarkable dishes" prepared by Chef Robert Koenig, "expertly prepared from high-quality ingredients, attractivley presented to appeal to the eye as well as the palate."
1999
New Jersey Star Ledger voted the Inn a "Best dining experience of 1999".
2000
The New York Times celebrated the Inn's Gardens and wrote: "The terraced outdoor eating area...defines the restaurant".
2003
The Inn was purchased in August by a trio of businessmen. The murals were carefully restored by the talented Illia Barger. Additional renovations included the reduction in size of the Fox Dining Room and the renovation of the outside Garden Bar with the removal of famous Silver Dollar Bar.
2006
The Inn was purchased April 14th and opened May 12th by current owners, Fred & Janet Strackhouse, and their kids, Tommy, Sarah, & Emily. Since acquiring ownership, The Stockton Inn has received rave reviews by leading newspapers and magazines.
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