Example of a So-Called "Back Bar Bottle" from the Famed Pell Tree Inn on Shore Road

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The Pell Tree Inn was a roadhouse that once stood on Shore Road.  The roadhouse was in a famous Shore Road structure that had a variety of names including "Oakshade," the "Morris Estate," the headquarters of the Country Club at Westchester, the "Ramblers Inn," the "California Ramblers Inn," the "Hollywood Gardens Inn," and more.  Indeed, given the history of the roadhouse, I have written about it extensively.  See, e.g.:

Mon., Mar. 03, 2014:  The Suydam Estate known as “Oakshade” on Shore Road in the Town of Pelham, built by James Augustus Suydam.

Fri., Oct. 16, 2009:  The Famed "California Ramblers" and the "Ramblers Inn" that Once Stood on Shore Road. 

Given the fame of the structure and its many notable occupants, there are many images of its exterior and its interior, particularly during the early decades of the 20th century.  For a few examples, see immediately below.

"Oakshade," the Mansion Built by David Lydig Suydam on Shore Road

and Used as the Clubhouse of the Country Club at Pelham During the

1880s. Photograph Taken on May 17, 1924. Source: William R. Montgomery

Glass Negative and Lantern Slide Collection, Courtesy of the Office of the

Historian of the Town of Pelham. NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.

Undated Post Card View of "SHANLEY'S PELL TREE INN, Pelham Shore

Road, N. Y." Circa 1920s.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

Undated Post Card View of "PELL TREE INN.  Pelham Bay Park,

N. Y. City, Tonjes and Tappin."  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

Undated Post Card View of the "PELL TREE INN.  Shore Road, Pelham

Park, N. Y. C." Circa 1915.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

Undated Post Card View of the Interior of "SHANLEY'S PELL TREE INN,

Pelham Shore Road, N. Y."  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

Undated Post Card View of the Interior of "PELL TREE INN.  Shore

Road, Pelham Park, N. Y. C."  NOTE:  Click on Image To Enlarge.

Undated Post Card View of the Interior of the "PELL TREE INN,

Pelham Bay Park, N. Y. City. Tonjes and Tappin."  NOTE:  Click

on Image to Enlarge.

The map detail immediately below shows where the Pell Tree Inn was located on Shore Road.  For context, note its location in relation to the nearby Bartow-Pell Mansion and, specifically, the Bartow-Pell Mansion Carriage House.

Detail from 1918 Insurance Map Reflecting "SHANLEY'S PELL TREE INN."

Source: Sanborn Map Company, Atlases of New York City / Insurance

Maps of New York / Bronx, Atlas 55, Vol. 18, Plate 97 (1918).  NOTE:

Click on Image to Enlarge.

Recently I was able to purchase a so-called "Back Bar Bottle" (i.e., a display decanter for behind a bar) from the old Pell Tree Inn that once stood on Shore Road.  A photograph appears immediately below.

"Pell Tree Inn EQUATOR" Decanter from the Collection

of the Author.  Photograph by the Author.  Six and One-Half Inches

Tall.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

The painted lettering on the decanter is cryptic and intriguing.  The reference to "EQUATOR" is likely a brand of alcoholic drink, though research has not yet revealed the precise brand likely referenced.  Many such Back Bar Bottles had a painted or embossed reference to the brand of whiskey or liquor kept in the decanter.

This Pell Tree Inn Back Bar Bottle provides a tiny glimpse of the old Pell Tree Inn and its role as a famous roadhouse on Shore Road.

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