A Brief Family History of the Benn Conger Inn

    In 1949, the family bought Don's restaurant in Groton (later named Farrells). Carmela cooked Italian food in Don's kitchen for the Smith Corona factory workers and Robert (Bob) tended bar. Her authentic Italian cooking was loved by all.

In 1953, the family purchased the 1921 Colonial Revival at 206 W Cortland Street where they raised their four children. Those 18 years growing up on "Dog Hill" were magical. We played outside from dawn to dusk with great friends, so many of whom live close by today. Our cousins, the Newmans, came to visit regularly and while the adults sipped expresso and shared stories of their day, the three cousins and four of us played outside on the eighteen acres of grounds, a total paradise for young kids. There are countless numbers of stories and wonderful memories that will be treasured and shared through the generations. One such story was the never-ending search for the treasures left behind by the notorious gangster Dutch Shultz, bootlegger and racketeer, often "holed up" at the mansion until his demise in 1935.

The family lived on the first floor with three apartments on the second floor that helped to finance the cost of such a large property. In 1971, the costs became too challenging with four kids in college or about to go, and we sold our family home.