Historically, inns and taverns offered short-term stays for visitors to New Haven, Connecticut. As the town developed and Yale College grew, land-owners began to realize the potential for larger, centrally located hotels. Established in 1824 and fronting the Town Green, the Tontine Hotel stood for less than 100 years, but was a prominent establishment in the city. The hotel was designed by architect David Hoadley and it hosted many well-known individuals including Native American chief and orator Red Jacket, who gave a speech here in 1829, and Daniel Webster, who came here in 1832. When more modern hotels were built in the early 20th century, the Tontine saw declining and less fancy clientele. The site was slated for redevelopment and the block was demolished in 1913 for the new Federal Courthouse and Post Office (last post).
Buildings of New England 
The word “tontine” refers to a form of quasi-insurance favored in the 18th and 19th centuries. A group of individuals would band to make a particular investment (such as this hotel). As members of the group died off, their shares of the income from the investment would pass to the remaining members of the group. The last surviving member wound up receiving 100% of the income from the investment. There are several hotels with the name “Tontine Hotel” in the UK.
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Oh wow! That is good to know. There was a Tontine Crescent in Boston too.
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