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Where it all began.

Large Victorian building with group of people in front. Trees partially obscure the building.

In 1880, when Dr. JJ Lenhart married Dora Baldwin and while still practicing medicine, they moved from Pittsburgh to Bemus Point, NY. There the two helped Dora’s mother operate a small boarding house. With the influx of summer visitors to the Chautauqua region due to travel ease made possible with the advancement of trolleys, trains and steamboats, they took note and built the first hotel bearing the family name near the ferry landing. The hotel offered 40 sleeping rooms and a broad veranda offering expansive views of Chautauqua Lake. It opened to guests in 1882. The original Hotel Lenhart burned in October 1891 during the cleanup at the end of the season. By June 1st of 1892 a new larger hotel stood in its place, which still stands today. Through the years, there have been enhancements to the building. 



Here are some fun facts: Electricity and plumbing were added in 1930. In 1940, another fire occurred on the roof, which was then converted from a gable roof to a flat roof (where some would sunbathe). A sprinkler system was installed in 1953. The Lamplighter Lounge opened in the summer of 1960; it was previously a billiard room, and could usually be heard playing Big Band style music. When the hotel closed in 2022, there were 53 guest rooms, of which 37 had private bathrooms, while the others still shared a common bathroom. For all the years, the hotel operated seasonally from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Some famous people who stayed at the hotel; Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Natalie Merchant, Ozzie and Harriet Nelson, Les Brown, Martha Tilton, Alfred Kunze, Eddy Duchin, Gene Krupa.


Dr. JJ Lenhart passed the management to his daughter, Charlotte Johnston, and subsequently to two additional generations of the same family. Today, The Hotel Lenhart's tradition of hospitality will be carried on by the Curry Family from Pittsburgh (what a coincidence). 


The grand porch with its many multi-color rocking chairs, will allow the local community & travelers from across the globe to carry on the tradition of slowing down. Even if for a moment, to enjoy the beauty of this prominent lakeside retreat and its views any time of day.