Walter's Hot Dog Stand
Why it's listed
Walter's Hot Dog Stand is a one-story roadside restaurant on Palmer Avenue in Mamaroneck, built in 1928 for Walter Harrington across from Mamaroneck High School. Its steeply pitched hip roof is clad in copper tiles and topped with Chinese-inspired ornament, including curving dragons at the corners, hanging lanterns and a decorative ridge crest with stylized carp. Harrington began by selling apples and cider, then added hot dogs made from his own recipe, split and grilled, and moved several times before building on this site. A cider press platform and basement storage remain at the north side. The lot also holds a large frame residence associated with the family. The property was listed for two reasons. It is an outstanding example of roadside architecture, designed to catch the eye of passing motorists, and few similar pagoda-style buildings were found in state files. It is also a long-running local landmark, operated by the Harrington family since it opened, with a period of significance of 1928 to 1960.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the stand is an outstanding example of roadside architecture in New York State (Criterion C). It is also a landmark culinary and cultural institution in Mamaroneck (Criterion A), operated continuously by the Harrington family since opening. Its fanciful design was meant to attract passing motorists, and few comparable pagoda-style buildings were found in state files.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 10000338, listed June 11, 2010. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 937 Palmer Ave, Mamaroneck |
|---|---|
| County | Westchester County |
| Listed | June 11, 2010 |
| Reference number | 10000338 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1928-1960 |
| Architect / builder | Architect unknown; contractor reportedly Jim Mullens of Ortiz and Mullins, Mamaroneck |
| Architectural style | Other: Roadside Architecture |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Commerce |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in use as a restaurant, operated by the Harrington family; the exterior retains a high degree of integrity and the interior a lesser degree. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.94517, -73.74686 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 10000338.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7964102
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.