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Joan Keating of William Raveis Real Estate is listing the property for $965,000, a competitive price from such a remarkable house. "This home is not only beautiful inside and out, but it has a rich history in Westchester," she said.
The first family to build a home on the Byram Lake Road property were the Flewellyns, a Mount Kisco family during the late 18th century, who used the property as a mill. After the family sold the home in the mid-1800's, the property, then spanning over 80 acres, belonged to the Kirby family, who were prominent local businesspeople and were the reason Mount Kisco was once called "Kirbyville." Years later, the property was then used as a residence for the staff of Luigi De Cesnola, the first director of The Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan.
However, at the turn of the century, new owners saw an opportunity to use the house as more than just a residence.
During America's Prohibition, the home operated as The Silver Moon, a local speakeasy. Just over a decade later, 23 Byram Lake Road was purchased by a retired school teacher, Effie Phyfe, who turned the speakeasy into an inn known as The Tavern in Mt. Kisco. The Tavern hosted many of film's early stars, including Henry Ford, Ethel Barrymore, Vincent Price and others. Frank Sinatra, Mia Farrow and the Reagans all also visited the inn as well.
"I love telling my clients about the history of this home and all the wonderful people who have visited this property," said Keating. "Today, the home is updated to feature all the modern conveniences, but the halls still tell tales of over 200 years of history,"
For more information on 23 Byram Lake Road, or to see other listings by Joan Keating, click here.
