[3][4] The building was originally the home of James Brown,[5] an African-American Revolutionary War veteran, who was the proprietor of a tobacco store on the ground floor of the house.

[6] At the time of the building's construction, the house was only several feet from the shoreline of the Hudson River, although subsequent urban development has since filled in land that has increased the distance to the shore.

[7] The house was purchased in 1890 by an Irish immigrant named Thomas Cloke,[7] who ran a tavern and sold beer and spirits to sailors and longshoremen.

Indeed, as part of the permitting process, real-estate developers have paid for thousands of dollars in repairs and improvements to the building, including a backyard fire escape.

The Ear Inn continues to thrive as a bar and restaurant, under the proprietorship of Martin Sheridan; the building is still owned by composer and maritime lecturer Rip Hayman, and features memorabilia from its past.