The Chestnut Inn
THE CHESTNUT INN
A DISTINCTIVE DESTINATION
The Chestnut Inn at Oquaga Lake is a classic example of architecture and building construction at its best. Built in 1927, the Inn is almost totally constructed of the now extinct North American Chestnut wood.
The main dining room offers the ultimate dining experience in a relaxed elegance. Guests can enjoy casual dining with spectacular views of Oquaga Lake in the Lakeside Sun Room or beverages served outdoors on the Waterfront Terrace.
One of the unique pleasures of staying at the Chestnut Inn at Oquaga Lake is a boat ride on Pickles, a replica of the Inn’s launch which once graced the waters of the Lake.
The City of Binghamton is conveniently located only 30 miles west of The Chestnut Inn. Several skiing venues, including Elk Mountain, and Greek Peak, are within 60 miles. It is a perfect place for day trips to some of the best attractions and events in Broome County.
LOCATION
Nestled at the foothills of the Catskill Mountains, on a ¾ mile lake, the Chestnut Inn, is the premier hotel and restaurant of the Oquaga Lake community. Perfectly located for over 125 years, Oquaga Lake has been the destination for relaxation and enjoyment. Just 140 miles from New York City, it’s perfect for the get-away-from-it- all atmosphere.
The Village of Deposit, New York has a population of 1,936, three miles from the border of New York State and Pennsylvania and 30 miles east of the Binghamton urban core major employment, shopping, and services can be had. Interstate 81 is 20 miles to the west accessed by NYS Route 17 and Interstate 88 is 23 miles to the North accessed by NYS Route 8.
It is a unique village in that is it split almost equally by the county lines of Broome and Delaware. This line is historically significant since it is the Fort Stanwix Treaty line of 1763, set up as the boundary between white territory and Indian Territory. The village supports an active downtown main street where most services such as doctors and lawyers can be found. This street is also home to a 1930’s deco world-class first-run movie theater and performing arts center. Throughout the Village are some fine restaurants, antique shops, a historical museum located in a turn-of-the-century bank building. Stone cutting, logging, farming and tourism all play a significant part of the local economy.
Deposit celebrates its heritage each year with The Lumberjack Festival, The Oktoberfest, and The Christmas Festival.
HISTORY OF THE CHESTNUT INN
For over 125 years, Oquaga Lake has been considered one of the premier resort destinations in Central New York State. For years, people from nearby Deposit have appreciated Oquaga Lake for relaxation and enjoyment. By the 1870’s, many cottages and boat houses had been built around the lake. Some of the early cottages were merely tents erected over wooden floors. The Lenape Cottage, one of the most popular and charming cottages on Oquaga Lake, was constructed in 1878. It is located adjacent to the Chestnut Inn at Oquaga Lake.
Around the beginning of the Great Depression, an old summer house called Monoquaga was demolished and construction started on an “up to date” summer hotel. Originally called the Hotel Monoquaga, Samuel Retzer opened the Inn for guests in July of 1928. It was built on the site of the old Monoquaga cottage first owned by James H., Charles J., and Herbert W. Knapp.
The owner had recently sold his large express business in New York City, and money was no problem. Having been in the express business all his life with offices and warehouses all over Manhattan and Brooklyn, he had many famous friends including Al Smith, Jimmy Walker, buffalo Bill Cody, Borough President John Muller and Commissioners. They all urged him to build a “summer place” at this popular Lake and said that they would stay each summer season. Most of them did.
The creation of The Chestnut Inn is a unique story in itself. The Inn is almost totally constructed of the now extinct North American Chestnut wood. The finished lumber for casings, trim, paneling and basic construction was all machined on the premises by carefully selected craftsmen. Local trees were cut, transported to nearby sawmills where the rough lumber was dried for two years, and then delivered to the site for finishing. The result was beautiful chestnut woodwork gracing every room. When the "woodworking" was completed, the machinery was removed and the sub floor that is in the entire building as well as the Main Dining Room, was covered with tongue and groove hardwood flooring. In both design and construction, the Chestnut Inn is a thing of lasting beauty. Because the North American Chestnut trees were wiped out by a blight shortly after Chestnut Inn as completed in the early 1930s, those who specialize in and appreciate fine wood regularly visit to admire this outstanding collection of America's lost wood.
At the time of construction in 1927, the "one of a kind" massive fireplace was built in the lobby as it exists today. It was built by an old timer out of the woods near Windsor, New York. The lobby fireplace takes four foot logs, is shallow in depth and has no damper in spite of a three story chimney. Instead, it has three baffles built into the chimney to automatically regulate the draft to ensure maximum efficiency. For the dozens of men working year-round building the Inn, this fireplace was their only source of heat. The fieldstones in the facing came mostly from the immediate area.
The placing of such large stones near the ceiling was an artist’s creation. Everyone was welcome to bring their favorite stone and it would be set in the fireplace. The baseball size piece of marble in the center was brought from Germany by the President of Borden's. Many of the famous guests had favorite stones placed somewhere.
With the main building just beginning to take shape, the beautiful Knabe Grand Piano, located in the Lakeside Tavern, was spotted in the Knabe Company Showroom on Fifth Avenue, New York City. It was purchased immediately and stored for over six months. Today it is a most valuable instrument as very few of this year and model exist.
For many years these people came to train in Deposit. Automobiles were just coming into limited general use, and the Hotel provided big Buick touring cars, Packard's and Marmon's for transporting guests to the lake and also for day sightseeing trips to Central New York State. In due time, some of the guests drove their own cars from New York City or had their chauffeurs drive them. The big fancy Cadillac's, Marmon's, Packard's and Buicks were a sight to see for each morning they were brought out of provided "sheds", lined up by the main building and dusted and polished.
As an Oquaga Lake Landmark, The Chestnut Inn grew in popularity throughout the 50's and 60's. Generations of visitors from the Binghamton, New York, Area remember the Inn as an evening and weekend destination, while people from downstate New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania recall it as a vacation spot.
Once known as the "Chestnut Lodge", the Inn went through some difficult times. It ceased operations in the 1970's and opened again about 1988. The Inn closed permanently in 1989 in a state of decline.
In 1992, two local businessmen, the current owners, purchased the property and embarked on an ambitious project to carefully restore the Chestnut Lodge. Within a matter of months, they completely transformed the former lodge into a first-class 30-room country inn and renamed the property the “Chestnut Inn at Oquaga Lake”. In 2006 they again updated and remodeled the inn to a capacity of 17 rooms; 12 of those rooms are luxurious 2-room suites with spacious baths that each have a Jacuzzi tub. They are proud to have revitalized the Chestnut Inn into a luxury country inn on the shores of Oquaga Lake. Throughout the remodeling projects, they dedicated themselves to keeping the authenticity and the history alive, as the area and its people can be seen throughout the property.
Today, trains no longer bring vacationers to Chestnut Inn at Oquaga lake, but interstate highways and nearby airports make it possibly for a much wider clientele to visit. Not only are people attracted for relaxation, recreation and exquisite dining, today visitors use the lakeside setting for serious pursuits as well, including business meetings, retreats and conferences. Today's Chestnut Inn at Oquaga Lake is not just a summer resort, it is enjoyed through the year.
FACILITIES AT THE INN
Located at 498 Oquaga Lake Road in Deposit, New York. The following is a brief description of the facility:
Includes 9 parcels over 12 acres with full waterfront. These parcels include the Inn, two cottages, laundry room, storage garage, large parking area.
THE INN
Guest Rooms
Newly renovated in 2006, 30 small rooms were renewed into 17 rooms with all new furnishings, flooring, baths, beds, linens and curtains. The North American Chestnut wood was maintained throughout the rooms in trim work and door panels.
12 luxurious 2-room suites with extra large bathrooms that include a Jacuzzi bath and separate shower with “rain” shower heads. King size beds and queen-size pull out sofas. Suites accommodate up to 4 people. Each suite contains desk and chair, lounge chair, armoire, one 25” flat screen and one 27” television, individually maintained heating and air conditioning units and BOSE stereo system.
4 deluxe rooms are equipped with queen size bed and standard bath. Deluxe rooms accommodate up to 2 people. The rooms include a 27” television and armoire and BOSE stereo system.
1 handicapped accessible room offers king bed with large sitting area and bath. This room has a lounge chair, table with chair, 27” television and BOSE stereo. The first floor of the Chestnut Inn includes an ADAS Handicap Accessible Room designed for our disabled guests. This room features a queen size bed, bedside telephone, television and a sitting area. The spacious bathroom includes a walk-in/roll-in shower and a shower seat for your convenience.
Lobby
Still maintains the massive fireplace with all new furnishings placed in 2006 to provide a comfortable atmosphere where guests can lounge and read or play checkers/chess. The check-in desk and two fully remodeled bathrooms with all new fixtures and flooring, complete the lobby area.
Support Offices/Rooms
Support of the Inn can be provided from 3 large offices, a coat room, gift shop and children’s playroom.
The children’s playroom is fully equipped with toys, television, DVD player, small play table and adjoining bathroom.
The reception area is complete antique desk and antique armoire used as a gift shop showcase which also adjoins to small room that holds the fireproof drop safe.
The Dining and Tavern Rooms
Four separate dining areas accommodate elegant tableside service or casual fare. The waterfront terrace for outdoor dining is situated right next to the water, the Sunroom lined with all windows has spectacular views of the lake, the Dining room is convenient for small gatherings and the Waterside Tavern offers a casual eating atmosphere.
THE COTTAGES
Lenape
This seasonal cottage is located adjacent to the Chestnut Inn right on the lake with private dock, wrap around porch, full kitchen, dining and half bath downstairs. Upstairs features four-bedrooms. Master bedroom has private bath and the remaining three bedrooms are serviced by an additional bath. , two-bath house sleeps 12-14 people. It features a full kitchen, washer/dryer, and cable television. Guests of the cottage have access to the Inn’s swimming area, paddle boats and gourmet dining facilities.
Camp Comfort
This two-story cottage sits on a slight hill approximately 100 yards from the Inn and 50 yards from the Lake. It has an upper deck with excellent views of the Lake and private parking. Fully remodeled in 2008 all new kitchen, furnishings and flooring. French doors open to the upper deck from the master bedroom and living room areas. Two bedrooms upstairs with queen bed and full bath, washer and dryer, kitchen and living and dining areas. One twin bedroom downstairs with private bath and small living room which opens to a lower patio.
LAUNDRY BUILDING
Fully equipped laundry, gym and storage building. Laundry on the main floor has two commercial washer and dryers with full folding table installed. Plentiful shelving for all the linens. Upstairs maintains shelving for storage and a small exercise (or massage) room.
EVENT AREA OR PARKING
A 40x40 tent for wedding or special occasion events is erected each season in the parking lot of the Chestnut Inn. This tent can accommodate up to 200 guests for a reception type atmosphere that views the lake. When stored the area is great additional parking.
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