The Town of Webb Historical Association's Exhibit for 2004 at the Goodsell Museum recreates a popular roadside landmark for many years in Eagle Bay, NY. Visitors will be delighted with the transformation of the downstairs exhibit room displaying a collection of artifacts and photos from Teich's Trading Post, an exotic tavern-restaurant-dance hall that drew thousands of tourists to this establishment for decades.
Owner and proprietor Frank Teich arrived in Eagle Bay ca. 1915 nearly a decade before the Route 28 highway was completed between Old Forge and Inlet. He opened up a roadside stand and gift shop near the present day Northwoods Inn. In 1925, he built a larger structure in the hamlet of Eagle Bay after acquiring a lot from developer Howard Weller. Teich, a bachelor and taxidermy hobbyist, packed the interior with some 2,000 stuffed mounts including his own dog Buster. According to Clare O'Brien in her book "God's Country," Teich's collection included Siamese twin calves, a Newfoundland seal, an English Boar, and the head and horns of the largest Texas longhorn known to exist. Patrons recall dancing to the music of an 1890 nickelodeon. So many people crowded into see this most unusual tourist attraction during summers of the thirties and forties, that traffic through the hamlet drew nearly to a standstill.
In 1969, Frank Teich was in poor health and an auction was held to dispose of his property and enormous collection of animals. A number of items were saved by Teich's nephew Elton LeFeve, who generously has loaned many of his photographs and stuffed animals to the Historical Association for this exhibit.
The museum is open FREE to the public - Tuesdays, Thursdays,
Fridays, and
Saturdays - from 10am - 3pm, or by appointment. The Teich exhibit will be
taken down in November, 2004 - Look for new exhibit "A Look Back at Law
Enforcement" scheduled to open December 1, 2004 and run through November
2005.
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Last Updated: August 8, 2004