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Photos: A cabin, a barn, a hotel

By Howard B. Owens

When I'm out and about in the county, I usually try to find roads I've never driven down before. In coming back from the two accidents this morning, I came across three photo opportunities.

Above, the Magadore Hillton and Pembroke Hotel, at the intersection of North Pembroke and Beckwith roads. The spelling on the sign is "Hillton." That's not  a typo. The proprietor, according to the sign, is Linda Smith. It's hard to tell if this is an active business. There is a sign next to the building that advertises fish fry and beef on weck, but it also looked like it might be vacant, except for a possible residence on the side.

UPDATE: We just got this e-mail:

"Hi, my name is Linda Smith I have owned the bar for 30 years. It was built in 1850 and has been a working bar for a very long time. I have a little restaurant that serves fish frys every friday. We are open 6 days a week."

Below is what looks like an old hunter's cabin along Stegman Road, across from the Tonawanda Creek. 

The last picture is of a yellow barn -- don't see too many of those. It was on Powers Road.

Elizabeth Downie

I know where all 3 of those places are! I live near them! The Mog, as it is known, has AWESOME wings! It is usually open in the afternoon/evening. I always call ahead to see if and when it is open. It is no longer a hotel, but the small restaurant inside is really neat. Again, AWESOME wings! I suggest people check it out... especially for the $0.10 wings on Wednesdays!

Mar 28, 2010, 12:18pm Permalink
Gabor Deutsch

I had my first nice cold utica club beer from there on our way back from hayin ! Used to love the late night snowmobile stops in there too !

Mar 28, 2010, 12:38pm Permalink
Lori Ann Santini

The barn/Farm is owned by the Winkstern Family. The good news is they seem to be ever expanding when other farms are having problems and are downsizing. They made awesome neighbors too. I could see that barn from my house when I lived on Pratt Road. The cabin just started to collapse badly about two to three years ago. The Mogadore is a legend of its own...... It tends to be very busy during the snowmobile season. Oldtimers will tell you lots of stories about that place. While you were in the area you forgot to take a picture of the Bushville bridge Howard. I have no idea how big Bushville ever was. All I know is the reference is to that one bridge on Route 5 next to Wortendyke Road.

In your travels Howard you need to find Pumpkin Hill, Mosquito Point, Suicide corners, Stony Church and Brick House Corners. It is alot of fun learning about this area when you are a transplant.

Mar 28, 2010, 12:45pm Permalink
Scott Strang

The Mog is great! I like the wings and the fried bologna sandwich... mmmmm... It's a true American Beer Joint. No hard liquor, just Beer and Wine. Closed Mondays. Great people Jim and Linda, lots of fun. Definitely a great North Pembroke "secret" place.

Howard's travels.... "A fresh view from a transplant person." ...or "The things we locals take for granted."

It's interesting to feel the excitement from a newbie's perspective.

Mar 28, 2010, 12:47pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

Scott, I've kind of come to figure that being a transplant is a typical two-edged thing ... the downside is, things come up that I should know and don't and that can be a little frustrating and/or embarrassing; the other side, is I don't, as you say, take things for granted, and the advantage there is, I think, I can show things that help highlight what's cool about Genesee County. There's no preconceived -- "oh, everybody already knows about that."

And, as is the case here, by posting things, I also learn new things, too.

Mar 28, 2010, 1:06pm Permalink
Dave Olsen

Gabor, this is for you. I had a few UC's at the "Mog." myself back in the day.

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Mar 28, 2010, 2:10pm Permalink
Sheryl Smigelski

We love going to the Mog during snowmobile season, didn't make it this year, my husband said the trails left something to be desired. I am sure they tried their best with the weather what is was. There's always next year and we'll stop in through the summer.

Mar 28, 2010, 3:05pm Permalink
Gary Spencer

Schultz and Dooley!!! I had those beer steins once (I think they were reproductions!!) There used to be some darn good beer brewed around here....Utica Club...Standard Ale...(Genesee 12 Hourse!!! MMmmm)

Mar 28, 2010, 6:14pm Permalink
Daniel Neal

We live just up the road from the Mog , on top of the hill next to the stables , I know that it is usually busy on the weekends and always on wednesday's for wings , and just as Lori Ann said , the yellow barn belongs to Winkstern's , we buy our corn for heat from them , my stepfather has known the family for many years and the farm employs many of my friends during the summer.

Mar 28, 2010, 6:39pm Permalink
Tara Pariso

This is true, I grew up riding bikes with my brother and exploring the cabin and the land surrounding it. When I was a little older I would "run away" to this cabin. Thanks for bringing back fond childhood memories Howard, there are so many things that get forgotten over the years!

Mar 28, 2010, 7:51pm Permalink
Gabor Deutsch

I only remember drinking U C out of small brown barrel bottles. I also used to drink Schmidts till I got the Schlitz. Here is a nice review :

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Mar 29, 2010, 1:52pm Permalink
Dave Olsen

I only drank it 'cause it was cheap. My favorite cheap beer is PBR. UC had the best commercials though, until Old Milwater came up with "The Swedish Bikini Team"

Mar 29, 2010, 8:36pm Permalink
Brian Schollard

The good ole "MOG" I haven't stopped in a long wile. Nice old place with character. I like UC too. My wife travels all over the state and sometimes brings me back a 12 pack
The closest town you can buy it is Victor.

Mar 29, 2010, 9:13pm Permalink

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