ARTICLE
The opening of the new Chautauqua Harbor Hotel in Celoron is another big step towards additional economic growth in Chautauqua County’s tourism industry. Coming on the heels of the National Comedy Center grand opening, it marks yet another bright spot for progress in our region. Featuring 135 rooms, a beautiful banquet facility and restaurant, indoor and outdoor pools, an outdoor bar and patios, and a stunning lake view, the new hotel has transformed the southern shore of Chautauqua Lake. Decades ago, that same space was the old Celoron Amusement Park. For more than 60 years it drew crowds of people to the lake shore in a different way. They came by trolley or steamship to spend a day on the massive Phoenix Wheel, enjoying the toboggan slide into the lake, attend a baseball game or concert, and take part in other amusements. Perhaps they stayed at the former Hotel Celoron. Eventually the park declined, many of the attractions were sold off, and only a skating rink remained for several years until it was destroyed by fire in the mid 1970’s. This prime lakefront land has been vacant for over 40 years. Now we have seen an amazing transformation and rebirth of the Celoron lakeshore. Occupying a nine acre site that features 1,100 feet of lakefront, the hotel is expected to draw visitors from all over who seek a full service hotel with all amenities and enjoy outdoor activities all year round. Kudos, also, to the Village of Celoron for improvements to the adjacent Lucille Ball Memorial Park which now includes an environmentally friendly shoreline and boardwalk while maintaining vital public access. Tourists have been making their way to Chautauqua County for well over a century. Long before we began tracking tourism as a major component of our economy, visitors came to Chautauqua County to rest, relax, learn, and enjoy amazing scenery. We still have all of that, and with growing attractions including the National Comedy Center, we can expect a bump in tourist trade year-round. Tourism is already big business here. Tourism is a growing sector of our economy, creating a $260-million impact in the County. That includes lodging, dining, attractions, retail, and more. It’s thrilling to see this rebirth at the Celoron lakefront. We also eagerly anticipate the opening within months of a new hotel in downtown Jamestown as the DoubleTree by Hilton prepares to welcome guests, and the addition of a new high end condominium complex in Mayville with the Lodge at Chautauqua Lake being developed by the Webb family. If you’re a resident here, we encourage you to sample the restaurants and banquet spaces being created and invite your out of town friends and family to reserve space in one of these new facilities. Chautauqua County is in growth mode!
The opening of the new Chautauqua Harbor Hotel in Celoron is another big step towards additional economic growth in Chautauqua County’s tourism industry. Coming on the heels of the National Comedy Center grand opening, it marks yet another bright spot for progress in our region. Featuring 135 rooms, a beautiful banquet facility and restaurant, indoor and outdoor pools, an outdoor bar and patios, and a stunning lake view, the new hotel has transformed the southern shore of Chautauqua Lake.
Decades ago, that same space was the old Celoron Amusement Park. For more than 60 years it drew crowds of people to the lake shore in a different way. They came by trolley or steamship to spend a day on the massive Phoenix Wheel, enjoying the toboggan slide into the lake, attend a baseball game or concert, and take part in other amusements. Perhaps they stayed at the former Hotel Celoron. Eventually the park declined, many of the attractions were sold off, and only a skating rink remained for several years until it was destroyed by fire in the mid 1970’s. This prime lakefront land has been vacant for over 40 years.
Now we have seen an amazing transformation and rebirth of the Celoron lakeshore. Occupying a nine acre site that features 1,100 feet of lakefront, the hotel is expected to draw visitors from all over who seek a full service hotel with all amenities and enjoy outdoor activities all year round. Kudos, also, to the Village of Celoron for improvements to the adjacent Lucille Ball Memorial Park which now includes an environmentally friendly shoreline and boardwalk while maintaining vital public access.
Tourists have been making their way to Chautauqua County for well over a century. Long before we began tracking tourism as a major component of our economy, visitors came to Chautauqua County to rest, relax, learn, and enjoy amazing scenery. We still have all of that, and with growing attractions including the National Comedy Center, we can expect a bump in tourist trade year-round. Tourism is already big business here. Tourism is a growing sector of our economy, creating a $260-million impact in the County. That includes lodging, dining, attractions, retail, and more.
It’s thrilling to see this rebirth at the Celoron lakefront. We also eagerly anticipate the opening within months of a new hotel in downtown Jamestown as the DoubleTree by Hilton prepares to welcome guests, and the addition of a new high end condominium complex in Mayville with the Lodge at Chautauqua Lake being developed by the Webb family. If you’re a resident here, we encourage you to sample the restaurants and banquet spaces being created and invite your out of town friends and family to reserve space in one of these new facilities. Chautauqua County is in growth mode!