Hotel Lenhart Bemus Point NY
Celebrates 140 Years in 2020
The Lenhart family's long tradition of tourist accommodation was begun by Dr. John J. Lenhart who combined the unlikely professions of medical doctor and hotel manager beginning in 1879. That year Dr. Lenhart, who had been born in Pittsburgh in 1845, came to Bemus Point from Ellery Center where he had carried on a thriving practice for eight years. After the family was settled in Bemus Point, Lenhart and his wife joined her mother in the operation of a small boarding house while he also continued to practice medicine.
Three years later, after noting the increase in demand for summer vacation spots around the lake, Doctor Lenhart built the first hotel which carried the family name. It had a choice location on the point near the ferry landing. When the hotel opened for business the summer of 1882 it was described as being "… unsurpassed for sightliness and comfort," with its graceful lines, mansard roof, dormers, peaks and ornamental tower. Both the front, which extended 82 feet along Lakeside Drive and the 65 foot south end, had broad verandas which offered extensive views of the lake. The forty sleeping rooms on the upper floors could accommodate eighty guests. A large lobby, parlor, dining room and kitchen occupied the first level. Lumber for the frame structure was brought up the lake by scows after it was unloaded from the N.Y.P.&O. Depot in Jamestown.
Summers in the mid and late 1880's found the Bemus Point hotels, large and small, fully occupied week after week. Off season the owners were busy with upkeep and maintenance in the anticipation of the next summer. In 1890 the Lenharts completely redecorated the hotel with new wallpaper, paint, carpeting and built a tennis court for their guests' recreation.
Disaster struck the following year and the beautiful hotel came to a fiery end. In the course of cleaning and closing the hotel for the season, in October of 1891, it was necessary to burn a large amount of paper and general trash. A fire, which seemed to be contained in the chimney when it was first noted in the morning, was discovered in the attic by afternoon. Until the village crews could assemble, the blaze had spread to the roof. Jamestown firefighters arrived but their more powerful pumping engine was not available to augment the methods of the local men. All efforts were too late. The hotel was completely demolished. Although the Lenharts had been able to save furniture, china and silverware from the lower floors, the doctor estimated his loss at $15,000 for which there was insurance for $2,000 on the furnishings and $5,000 on the building itself.
Soon after the October 1891 fire which completely destroyed the original Hotel Lenhart, the family drew up plans for a second, larger tourist accommodation on the same site. In May of the following year it was announced that the new hotel would be open for guests by June 1, 1892.
The new hotel included three segments of varying sizes. The front, facing Lakeside Drive, measured 89 feet, slightly more than the frontage of the first hotel. This larger portion standing four stories high was 36 feet wide. Two three story wings measuring 50 by 36 feet and 28 by 36 feet extended to the rear of the taller building. A steeply pitched roof, with dormers extending at intervals, and 185 feet of veranda stretching around three sides of the building were the only notable decorative features in the functional, sturdy appearance of this second family hotel. The replacement cost of the hotel was $15,000 but the result was a hotel that was "…twice as large, more modern and in all particulars a better hotel… ." The new hotel's seventy rooms could accommodate 150 guests.
Dr. Lenhart continued in charge of the second Hotel Lenhart in the early years of the 1900's, eventually passing managerial duties over to his daughter, Mrs. Charlotte Johnston. He retired from his medical practice around 1908. He died at the age of 70 in 1914.
In 1941 fire again threatened to destroy the family hotel. Sparks blowing from the incinerator in a high wind, and falling upon the wood shingle roof were believed to have started the fire. The flames ate through the roof to a rear portion, into an attic and then into the attic of the large front wing of the hotel. In spite of difficulties in reaching the high fourth story attic, the firemen were able to turn the full force of their hoses on the fire and bring it under control. Damage done by the blaze was confined to the back wing where the fire first broke out. Major water damage affected almost every part of the building. It seeped through the walls damaging furniture, tearing away plaster from the ceiling and walls. The loss, $35,000, was only partially covered by insurance.
Extensive repairs began immediately. In addition to the interior work of replastering and drying out furnishings, the roof over the main part was cut down and replaced by a flat roof with a sun deck. That same summer the hotel was able to receive its first guests in July, less than a month after the fire!
The Johnston family, third generation members of the Lenhart family continue to own and operate the hotel at the present time. The present Hotel Lenhart, 100 years old in 1992 and the Athenaeum Hotel, across the lake at Chautauqua Institution, are the only two hotels remaining from Lake Chautauqua's busy resort hotel era.
In th late 19th century many hotels were built around the lake though only the Grand Lady, the Hotel Lenhart remains today.
Destination Cocktail Known as the Lenhart Rocker
The drink’s a juicy one, and deceptively potent. If you’re watching the bartender, you’ll only see two bottles used to make the Rocker: vodka and a house mixture.
I’m not sure if the recipe’s a “secret recipe” or not, but I don’t know all of what’s in the house mix. What I have heard though is that the Lenhart is the largest consumer of cherry brandy in the county. Whether that means there’s cherry brandy in the Rocker, I don’t know — but I’d say its a safe bet.
The cocktail lounge, The Lamplighter Room, is located just off the lobby. The music is usually Big Band which was the favorite of our longtime bartender, Jimmy Anderson, who sadly passed away in the spring of 1996.
The big feature of the Lenhart is the veranda that wraps from the side all across the front of the hotel. There are 40 of our famous multicolored rocking chairs for viewing the spectacular sunsets over Bemus Bay. Grab a chair early if you want a seat at sunset.
Unfortunately, the Lenhart closed early this year, it's 140th year, after the July 4th weekend due to COVID-19. See you in 2021.
Be Safe.
Pat Locke
Maestro Muse
Unfortunately, the Lenhart closed early this year, it's 140th year, after the July 4th weekend due to COVID-19. See you in 2021.
Be Safe.
Pat Locke
Maestro Muse
