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| History | |
Built in the 18th century, the SHANG BAILEY homestead is a classic example of Victorian-Colonial design. The 21 room mansion still maintains its old world charm. Its field-stone foundation, beams cut from surrounding woods, and some of the original wide-plank flooring are still visible. Five fireplaces with original tiles brought from Italy enhance the beauty of an elegant past. During Colonial times, this home served as one of several stagecoach stops between Boston and New York on the old Hartford Road. A quarter mile west of the homestead was located one of the toll stops that marked this well traveled road. In its long eventful life, this dwelling served as a stagecoach stop, tavern, hotel, and private residence. Frederick A. Bailey, from whom the homestead inherited its name "THE SHANG BAILEY HOMESTEAD" was its most colorful occupant. Bailey was born June, 1842, in Gazzaville, a factory village in the town of Burrillville. There he grew up as most village boys, attending the village school and mixing in juvenile pranks with other children of his age. When he was 16, his father died; and shortly thereafter, he went out to sea seeking adventure. While in the West Indies, he learned that Fort Sumpter was fired upon and subsequently returned to Rhode Island to enlist in the Second Regiment. He became a prisoner of war but he returned home safely following General Lee's surrender. The remainder of this life, up to the time of his conversion to Evangelism, was the life of a Rhode Island Roadhouse keeper--a life well known to thousands throughout the state who visited his place of business in Burrillville and Johnston during a period of 18 years.  In 1905, he ended his roadhouse career when he took down the sign which read "DROP IN AND SEE BIG SHANG" and substituted for it..."SHANG BAILEY'S PLACE OF BUSINESS IS CLOSED." He told of it thus in the printed story of his life: "On February 27,1905, after I had closed my house that night, I went behind my bar to count the receipts of the day. After counting the money, I put it in my pocket and started to put out the lights. My wife said to me, "are you not going to set down what you took in today?" I answered "no" and it came to me all at once that I should never do any more business-- and I never have." He then poured his stock of liquor into the street. Bailey then withdrew into private life and was known to a small circle of friends and relatives as Frederick A. Bailey. To a much larger circle of friends and acquaintances, he was for years, "BIG SHANG", a soubriquet gained in 1876 when his 6 foot 6 inches and more of height won him a place as "GIANT" in a side show of Barnum's World Fair. The Shanghal Fowl, known for their great size and awkwardness, had just been introduced in this country.  The former sailor, soldier, circus man and liquor dealer thereafter lived an uneventful life until he died in his 71st year on April 17, 1913. Having fallen into great disrepair in more recent years, this beautiful home was given a new and perhaps more elegant life in its "old age" when the new owners, TONY & BEA URSILLO, saw this "Grand Old Lady" and decided she should have a new start. Working diligently with the Historical Society, they restored the mansion in six months, and in June of 1976, they opened their gift shop in this new location. As a crowning achievement, the Shang Bailey Road House was entered into the National Register on the 10th day of May, 1984. The home now stands as a tribute to an eventful past, renewed for an adventurous future. |
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