For over one hundred twenty-five years, Oquaga lake has been considered one of the premier resort destinations of Central New York State. For years, people from nearby Deposit have appreciated Oquaga Lake for relaxation and enjoyment. By the 1870s, 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 today.

Around the beginning of the Great Depression, an old summer house called Monoquaga was demolished and construction was started on an up-to-date summer hotel. Originally called the Hotel Monoquaga, Samuel Retzer opened the Inn for guests around July 1, 1928. It was built on the site of the old Monoquaga cottage first owned by James H., Charles j., and Herbert w. Knapp. Since that time, The Chestnut Inn has always been an Oquaga Lake Landmark.

The Chestnut Inn at Oquaga Lake is a classic example of architecture and building construction at its best. 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 tried 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 and old timer out of the woods near Windsor, New York. An artist, the builder constructed fireplaces to provide heat. 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 mentioned 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 infamous "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 business men 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 thirty room country inn and renamed the property "The Chestnut Inn at Oquaga Lake". They are proud to have revitalized the Chestnut Inn into a Luxury country inn on the shores of Oquaga Lake. Throughout the remodeling process, they dedicated themselves to keeping alive the past; history of the Inn, the area and its people can be seen through the property. You'll enjoy your visit to the newly refurbished but already beautiful Chestnut Inn at Oquaga lake....where the long established traditions of its grand past continue today.

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.