The Dolan Block

The Dolan Block is an italianate style building that was built in the mid to late 1800’s. Christopher and Julia Dolan opened a restaurant on the property and many years later their son Michael bought the neighboring lots to construct the magnificent building that’s here today. The Dolan block is 3 stories high and contains multiple storefronts, an old traveler accommodations floor and what once was an opera house. Of the multiple businesses that ran out of that building the two most popular were the Dolan’s Tavern and their opera house. The opera house was reinvented into a cinema in the beginning of the 1900’s and was later torn apart and everything inside was sold as it wasn’t making much money later on. The building is now owned by Aaron Flach and is planned to be remodeled in the near future.

The Dolan Block is the name of a large, three story, Italianate building that was built some time in the mid to late 19th century. It has horizontal molded panels and large windows under wooden cornices that once supported awnings. It had many active storefronts during its use and took pride in being the leader in the maintenance of them. The second floor was full of accommodations for travelers and on the third floor was an opera house that at one point became a movie theater.

Lots 16-21 of Reed Street were bought by Thomas E. Barker, Ralph Barker, and William Judson from Eliakim Reed. These lots were eventually acquired by Russel Judson and Almet Reed who ran a freighting business out of the structures built there and in the 1800’s Christopher and Julia Dolan started a restaurant and tavern on a few of the neighboring lots. The couple had 3 kids named Thomas, Michael and Mary. Not much is known about Michael's brother and sister but he soon bought the lots from the Judsons and built what is now the Dolan Block. Michael and his wife Mary had 5 kids, Christopher II, John, Julia, Thomas and Joseph. John went on to play baseball for one of Coxsackies winning teams, the American Valve, but most of the kids stayed home and helped in the family business. Thomas and Christopher clerked the many stores that were on the first floor, Julia ran the opera house that was located on the third floor and Joseph followed in his father's footsteps and continued to run the popular saloon.

The first floor was home to many different businesses. There was Coxsackies first post office, the Ritz grocery store, a barbershop, and a bar. Of Mike Dolans businesses, the Cigar shop, Liquor store, and “Boots, Shoes, Hats and Men’s Furnishing Store”, the saloon was his pride and joy. It was male only and banned all phones and radio. If you wanted your husband to come home you needed to send your son to come and get him. The Dolans saloon was the most popular one in all of Coxsackie and rarely had to put up with competition. 

The Dolans opera house was also a famous business they owned. Opening around 1880, and run by Julia Dolan, the opera house was the spot. Everyone wanted to come to see the different shows whether it be Diamond Jack the Medicine Man or Uncle Tom's Cabin which was publicized by a big street parade the morning before its showing. Eventually the motion picture took over and the opera house became Coxsackies first movie theater. It could be leased out for community or school functions but they later sold the seats during the mid 20th century because it wasn't worth keeping open. The first 5-reel film they played was A Knight on the Range and it was a big deal as this was a huge upgrade from what they were playing before. The First World War I government-produced film called ‘Pershing’s Crusade or Following the Flag to France’ was shown on August 14, 1918 in the opera house as well. “The Coxsackie Theater” as it more frequently was called had a short lived competition with W. I. Barbers Novelty Picture Show but they went out of business fairly quickly. The theater also was used as a rental hall for traveling shows, school graduations, meetings for multiple organizations and church benefits.

The Dolan Block has long been abandoned and is now owned by Aaron Flach, a large landowner in the area. He is working on building a hotel and remodeling a few other neighboring buildings. Flach plans to help renew and rebuild parts of the building, specifically the run down store fronts, so that Coxsackie can get the charm of the grand Dolan block back and to bring more business to this great historical district.

1. Committee, Coxsackie Bicentennial . Coxsackie On The Hudson 1776-1976 BiCentennial Booklet. Sep 1976. 1 - 47.
2. Coxsackie Research Committee . 150th Anniversary of the Village of Coxsackie History District History Walk. September 8th 2017.
3. Beecher, Raymond. Under Three Flags: A Hudson River History
4. United States Department of the Interior Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service . Reed Street Historic District National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form. Nov 20th 1984.