The Chestnut Inn was built on the shores of the Oquaga Lake in Deposit, NY in 1928. It has enjoyed success as a popular summer resort in the 1950s and 1960s and as a serene country inn in the 1980s.
Today, the Chestnut Inn is one of the Catskill’s newest boutique hotels. While modern hotel amenities make your stay comfortable and pleasant, the historic charm of the Inn has been preserved. Old photographs and postcards line the hallways of the second and third floors. Many of the door frames are trimmed in the original (now extinct) chestnut wood. Antique pieces placed throughout the Inn remind guests of the hotel’s long history.
History
In the Summer of 1927, the old Summer House Monoquaga was demolished and construction started on an updated summer hotel. It was constructed exclusively of the North American Chestnut tree, which is now extinct. 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.
In July of 1927, the “one of a kind” massive fireplace was built in the lobby. It was made of old timber found in the woods near Windsor, NY, and fieldstones from the area by Oquaga Lake. For the dozens of men working year-round building the Inn, this was their only source of heat. The fireplace still exists today, warming travelers and area residents during the cold winter months.
Samual Retzer opened the “Hotel Monoquaga” in July of 1928. Just two years later, a blight wiped out the North American Chestnut tree. Because the trim on many of the door frames at the Inn were made of this wood, people came from all over to see the “lost wood” at the Inn.
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, the Chestnut Inn grew in popularity as an evening and weekend destination spot. Generations of travelers from New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania recall it as a favorite vacation resort.
However, in the 1970s the hotel was forced to stop operations. An effort to reopen in 1988 failed, and the Inn closed again until 1992 when two local businessmen purchased the property.
They embarked on an ambitious project to carefully restore the Chestnut Inn. Within a matter of months, they completely transformed the somewhat rustic lodge into a first-class, 32-room country inn and renamed it The Chestnut Inn at Oquaga Lake.
In 2006, the owners began major renovations. They expanded and combined the 32 rooms into 17 more spacious, luxury rooms with modern amenities, classic and elegant décor.
Area Attractions
There’s so much to enjoy when you stay at the Chestnut Inn! Here are links to some of our favorite sports and recreation options.
Deposit Free Library
Catskill Fly Fishing
Binghamton Mets AA Baseball
Binghamton Senators Hockey
Finger Lakes Wine Trails
Golden Oaks Golf Club
Scott's Oquaga Lakehouse
Afton Golf Club