Chemung House 1878 (Chemung Hotel/Morley Hotel)
The structure as we know it today, situated on the south-east corner of Washington and Main Streets, looking distressed and in grave need of repair is the old Chemung House. Built in 1878, it replaced the grand Buck's Hotel. Sadly, Buck's Hotel burned to the ground in a fire due to a faulty chimney, while it was owned by Charles A. DeWitt. It was rebuilt by in the mid 1870's by James Warren, the owner and proprietor was also a cigar manufacturer. Warren sold the hotel in 1905 to Walter D. Parks of Waverly, NY. Milton Bodine became the interim manager until William E. Howell bought it from Parks later in the year 1905. Bodine was operating the Park Hotel in Wellsburg at the same time. William Howell became the owner until the year 1917. Mr. Howell changed the name of the establishment during his ownership to Chemung Hotel. In 1917, Wright D. Morley purchased the property. Mr. Morley held the property for 10 years and at that time changed the name of the hotel to The Morley Hotel. It was sold in 1927 to Fred Hawkins. The next owner of the property was a J.J. (John) Weller in the proximity of 1939-1940. Other names of owners were Button - Palmer, Alvah Wooster, Gorden Vanderlyke, Ted Depew, Fred Morey and is currently owned by Joe Peters.
Owners of the Hotel
Owners of the Hotel
- James Warren - Built in 1878 as the Chemung House
- William Howell - changed the name to Chemung Hotel, sold in 1917
- Wright D. Morley - changed the name to The Morley Hotel, sold in 1927
- Fred Hawkins
- J.J. (John) Weller - applied for a liquor license 1933 when Congress repealed the Volstead Act of 1919.
- Button - Palmer
- Alvah Wooster
- Gorden Vanderlyke
- Ted Depew
- Fred Morey
- Joe Peters
A special thank you goes to the following people who researched this information: Susan Aumick, Kevin Benson, Kelly Miller, Mike Tuccinardi.