Founded: January 1, 1803
Location: 5254 West Seneca Street, Vernon, NY, USA
Other names:
Lewis House
Overview
A longstanding inn and restaurant on Seneca St in Vernon Village.
Details
One of the most prominent buildings down street in Vernon Village, this former hotel and restaurant is now gone, replaced by the parking lot between the Community Bank and Circle K (2023).
Started as a stage house around 1803 by a man named Vidbar (per Kitson), it has 12 guest rooms, lounge, bar, kitchen and dining areas. After being owned by Mr. Kennedy, George Lewis and former village clerk Daniel Burke, it was purchased by Gil Wetmore in 1908.
Wetmore was one of the most prominent horsemen in New York State, having served as judge of the Vernon Fair, head fo Central NY Horsemen’s Association, and more. Thus the Wetmore Hotel was a prime gathering place for horsemen. The woodwork and antiques were second to none, according to Don Law who grew up in Vernon in the 1950s and delivered papers there.
The hotel was sold in 1966 to Emmett Stuber of Utica who renamed it Ye Olde Inn. It was then purchased by Frank Wilfred Law who renamed it the Village Inn.