Glen Sanders Mansion, a historic riverfront estate in Scotia, New York, has been listed for sale at $8 million. Believed to be the third-oldest surviving dwelling in the state, the property dates back to 1658.
Scottish merchant Alexander Lindsay Glen constructed the original stone dwelling on the Mohawk River, naming the settlement Scotia. This one-room structure is still incorporated into the present-day mansion. The Glen family retained ownership of the estate for 266 years until it was sold in 1962.
Restaurateur Angelo Mazzone Sr. purchased the property in 1988 and opened it as the flagship for Mazzone Hospitality the following year. The operating company was later sold, but Mazzone Sr. retained ownership of the real estate. Now 75, Mazzone Sr. cited age as the reason for selling, noting that his son, who is an opera singer and real estate agent, has chosen not to take over the property.
Historical Significance and Notable Visitors
According to family tradition, the property was spared during the 1690 Schenectady Massacre due to the Glens' past kindness to French prisoners. The current mansion structure was reportedly built in 1713 by Captain Johannes “John” Glen, possibly using materials from the original 1658 house. The estate retains many original features, including windows, floors, beams, and the staircase.
The mansion has a documented history of notable visitors. George Washington visited in 1775 during a survey of the region's defenses, though historical accounts place his overnight stay across the river. A young Louis Philippe, who later became King of the French, is said to have stayed at the mansion in the late 1790s during his American exile. A room in the house is still known as the Louis Philippe Bedroom.
Property Features and Development Potential
The listing encompasses approximately three acres and includes a 22-room inn. The estate also comes with entitlements for a previously approved 95-unit apartment complex with a ground-floor restaurant. Mazzone Sr. had considered developing this himself before deciding to sell.
While the mansion is not on the historical register, Mazzone Sr. expressed hope that the buyer will preserve the historic structure, which he described as being like the "logo of the village."
Lore and Unexplained Activity
Family tradition suggests the mansion's basement may have sheltered freedom seekers on the Underground Railroad, with a passage reportedly leading to a building across the street. A mark on the original staircase banister is attributed to an Indigenous visitor. Staff and family members have also reported unexplained occurrences, which they describe as "friendly ghosts," including sightings of a woman in a red dress, associated with Deborah Glen, a granddaughter of Alexander Glen.