The first Hotel Lenhart building is pictured.

Did you know that the Hotel Lenhart in Bemus Point is one of only two large hotels dating back to the resort hotel & steamship era on Chautauqua Lake that remain in operation today — the other being the Athenaeum Hotel at Chautauqua Institution.

The original Lenhart was built by Pittsburgh native Dr. John J. Lenhart. It opened in 1882, but was destroyed by fire in 1891. Plans were immediately drawn up for its replacement. Construction was completed & the new hotel opened in 1892.

This second Hotel Lenhart remains today, fully operational from Memorial Day through Labor Day each year. Siblings John Lenhart Johnston Jr. and Barbara (“Bebe”) Johnston, great grandchildren of Dr. Lenhart, are the fourth Lenhart family generation to own and manage the hotel.