On Wednesday,
June 25, 1986, The Geneva Times reported on the
Seneca County supervisors’ meeting. “Goodman Hotel:
Heard Covert Supervisor Donald Kenyon report the Goodman Hotel at Interlaken
was demolished Monday, under contract with the county.”
Much has been
written about this landmark, from the fire on February 10, 1891 to the many
events held there. It has been a ready reference point in many pictures, and
the second-floor porch was a perfect location to photograph Main Street events.
Two questions
have often come to mind when thinking about the Goodman Hotel, 1) when was it
rebuilt after that 1891 fire, and 2) when did the name change occur?
The February 21,
1891 issue of The REVIEW had two small items. “The Gambee house ruins are
smoking yet this morning.” In another column, “It looks favorable for
re-building the Gambee house. A subscription paper to aid that purpose is
meeting with success.”
The February 28
issue noted a few of the rebuilding plans. “Active operations toward rebuilding
the Gambee house were commenced Wednesday morning. The new hotel will be two
stories high, a mansard roof over part forming a third story. A basement will
run under all.”
As shown in the
old maps of Main Street, there was no Railroad Avenue in 1891. One note on the
new building stated, “The building will be located about 6 feet further south
than the old one, widening the street just that much.” [February 28, 1891]
Over the next
five months short one-line items commented on the progress of the new building.
March 28, 1891,
“The cellar walls on the new Gambee house are being rapidly laid. Carpenter
work will probably commence next week.”
April 18,1891, “The
cellar walls on the Gambee house are up and the timbers all laid for the first
floor. Work will now rapidly proceed. Delos Collver and a dozen other
carpenters make things jingle.”
June 13, 1891,
“The third story of the Gambee house is nearly plastered.”
June 20, 1891,
“The second and part of the first story of the Gambee house are plastered.”
July 11, 1891,
The steam fitters and plumbers have finished their work in the Gambee House and
the painters and paper hangers are now ‘in it.’ It is expected the hotel will
be ready for occupancy about August 1st.”
July 25, 1891,
“The formal opening of the Gambee house will probably take place about August 5th.”
August 8, 1891,
“Many complimentary remarks are heard on the new stone walks about the Gambee
house. They were laid by J. T. Hunt.”
The front page
of the August 8, 1891 issue of the Farmers Review carried an extensive
article following the formal opening under the headline, “Opening of the ‘New
Gambee’.” After recounting the fire, the article discusses the rebuilding,
including a number of names not to be forgotten. “Mr. S. A. Drake was selected
as the architect and builder…the new house is a marvel of convenience and
beauty, the painting and decorations under the supervision of Mr. O. J. Slaght
present an appearance of elegance…” “The house is heated by steam throughout
and with hot and cold water, bathroom, etc….”
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| Gambee House, Martin Gambee is driving the "rig" in front. Mrs. Gambee is with others on the balcony. Interlaken Historical Society photo collection #745. |
The celebration
included a concert by “Travis full orchestra upon the balcony of the hotel.”
“An elaborate dinner was served from 12:30 to 3 p.m. and supper from 6 to 8
p.m. The dining hall was handsomely trimmed under direction of Mrs. Jennie
VanLiew. Dancing began at 9 o’clock and was indulged in to a late hour.”
The article
concluded with, “we predict for the new Gambee house a successful and
profitable future and we are sure we but voice the sentiment of the community when
we wish Mr. and Mrs. Gambee great success.”
So, the first
question was answered, August 5, 1891, the new Gambee house was opened to the
public.
On the second
question, when did it change name, that answer was found in the Farmer
Review August 21, 1903 issue. “The name of the Gambee house has been
changed to ‘The Goodman’.”
By 1986 changes
had occurred and the once “Roaring 20s” establishment was no longer roaring.
Arrangements were made for Seneca County to tear down the building. Throughout the day, residents
and visitors took photos as the work progressed.
 |
| The work of tearing down the building began on the back. Interlaken Historical Society photo collection #1650B. |
As I recall, it was close to
noon, shortly after the siren blew, that the front façade was brought down.
 |
| Working toward the front of the building. Interlaken Historical Society photo collection #1650B |
 |
| In the end, a pile of rubble, waiting to be loaded in trucks and taken away. Interlaken Historical Society website, www.interlakenhistory.org Source unknown. |
Today, through the work of many people, the site of the American Hotel, Gambee House, Goodman Hotel is now home to the Interlaken Historical Society’s Farmers’ Museum. Links to other related Snippet items are shown below.
Dewitt’s Diary Friday,
June 23, 1972
Temperature 55,
cloudy with rain.
It rained most
of the time all day. Over 7 inches of water total.
We drove down to
lake at Sheldrake. All of the docks are gone. It is a regular disaster area.
Cayuga Lake is
the highest ever, so they report today.
The shore line
is covered with materials from docks. Many bridges are gone out.
We did not try
to drive to Interlaken Beach Road, along the lake is impassable.
Chemung River
flooding. Half the people have been taken out of their homes to safety from
Elmira, Corning, Owego. The Ohio River is at flood stage.
Snippet from the Past: American House Fire February 11
Snippet from the Past: Farmers' Museum March 29
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