Photo: Central Hotel (Rice House)

The Rice House, later the Central Hotel, was built in 1852 by Henry Daly to accommodate the passengers on the newly opened Rome, Watertown & Ogdensburg Railroad, to take advantage of the increased business from travelers and businessmen brought to Lacona (then East Sandy Creek).

Mr. and Mrs. Killam took over operation of the hotel in October 1975 and are open every day except Tuesday from 11 a.m. through the evenings. During the summer months lunches are available with pizza and seafood as specialties. Full dinners are served from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings and during the past winter, luncheon specialties were available and regular customers held a Chilli Contest.

Mr. and Mrs. Killam have sponsored a women’s bowling team for some 16 years with their team coming in second this past season. They also back a pool
league team and sponsor the Men’s Central Hotel Softball Team.