Lighthouses hold a mystery and lure of the sea and waterways. And Chautauqua County has two lighthouses on the shores of Lake Erie reminding visitors and residents alike of the importance of Lake Erie in shipping and its rich history of steam ships.

photo credit: lemonad

The Dunkirk Lighthouse, is located in Dunkirk NY in Chautauqua County. Besides the lighthouse there is the adjacent Veterans Park Museum. The lighthouse and museum attract visitors from all over the world and many in the city refer to it as “the jewel of Dunkirk.” The lighthouse is still a working lighthouse.

The lighthouse was built in 1827 on Point Gratiot. The lighthouse worked in conjunction with a pier head beacon to help guide ships safely into the Dunkirk harbor.

Several points of historical interest are associated with the Dunkirk lighthouse. The first shot of the “1812 War” was fired near the west side of the lighthouse. Also the first casualty of the Civil War, Cpl. Cyrus Jones of Dunkirk, was killed in the war. His final resting place is located on the lighthouse grounds.

The Lake Erie waters just off of Dunkirk has had several notorious shipwrecks that are recoded in historical reports.

1. 1. The Walk-on-Water was lost in a storm in 1818. This was Lake Erie’s first steamboat.
2. 2. The Erie burned with the loss of 141 lives in 1841. 141 lives were lost. The fire was caused by turpentine and varnish that was stored on the deck above the ship’s boilers.
3. 3. In 1893 the steamboat, Dean Richmond, sank off Dunkirk. Dunkirk residents salvaged hundreds of bags of damp flour after the wreck. Cargo also included meal, copper sheet and silver and gold bullion.
4. 4. The freighter Idaho was destroyed in 1897 just above Long Point during a gale. Nineteen lost their lives and two deckhands were rescued.

The 61-foot lighthouse tower still has its original third order Fresnel lens, which was installed in 1857. The light was made and imported from Paris France and cost $10,000 at that time. The light’s 21-mile range makes the Dunkirk lighthouse one of the most prominent on Lake Erie.

In 1874 the tower was in desperate need of repair. A 61-foot stone tower and a Victorian residence were constructed to replace the original tower in 1875-76. The original structure was damaged from erosion and needed immediate repair.

Bricks from the original keeper’s house formed the foundation for the new house. The old cylindrical tower was moved near the lighthouse keeper’s residence and a square tower was built around the old tower. These building still stand and form the lighthouse, Veteran’s Park Museum and grounds as they are known today.

photo credit: Reza Vaziri

Although the “Dunkirk” is still in use, it is again in dire need of repair and restoration. Erosion is again creating problems with the structure and the town is trying to raise the funds to complete the repairs. It is reported that 190 feet on the bank of the Lighthouse has washed away with 1 1/2 to 2 feet washing away everyday.

The Dunkirk lighthouse today:

Light House Specifications

• Country: United States
• State: New York
• City: Dunkirk
• County: Chautauqua
• Body of Water:  Lake Erie / Great Lakes
• U.S.C.G. District: 9
• Current Use: Active – Aid to Navigation
• Latitude: 42.4936
• Longitude: 79.3537
• Lighthouse No:  USA 248
• Range:  approximately 21miles

More information is available on the lighthouse at the Dunkirk Lighthouse website

The lighthouse stands out on Lake Erie and is one of my favorite places to visit. The historical value and history of the lighthouse adds to Chautauqua County and Lake Erie.

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The Hotel Lenhart has been one of my favorite hotels and places to visit for many years. Located in Bemus Point, New York, the hotel faces west and overlooks Bemus Bay on Chautauqua Lake.

photo credit: Conlawprof

A veranda wraps from the side all around the front of the hotel and in my opinion adds to the elegance of the hotel. This is perfect for watching the sunrise and sunset over the Chautauqua Lake. And the multicolored rockers, 40 in all, attract visitors and residents of the town of Bemus Point.

The architecture and history of the hotel has always fascinated me. Owned by the same family, since 1881 the hotel has character. During my first visit to the hotel I entered the hotel and approached the reception desk.  I was  greeted by a orange tabby who was none to happy I disturbed his nap under the lamp.

The hotel design has a main floor and three upper floors for overnight visitors. The rooms range from large parlor type rooms on the ground floor to small single bed rooms on the top floor. The feel of the older bed and breakfast boarding rooms lives on in this historic hotel. I must admit I enjoy staying at Bed and Breakfast hotels and Chautauqua county New York has many bed and breakfast accommodations.

Originally the hotel was built without plumbing or electric. With time all rooms have had an added sink, but many still do not have a bathroom. There are two private baths on each floor for those rooms without baths. I have stayed in many bed and breakfast’s where you share facilities and the atmosphere in such accommodations adds to the experience. Now, many would not agree with me on this point.

One of my favorite day trips is to head to Bemus Point have lunch or dinner at the hotel dining room and enjoy the lake. The Lamplighter Room, a cocktail lounge, is located just off the lobby and has live entertainment, a perfect ending to a relaxing day. The music is usually Big Band and the music travels the air and adds to the beauty of an evening by the water. Often times you will see the Chautauqua Belle or Summer Wind traveling on the lake.

The first Hotel Lenhart was built by Dr. J. J. Lenhart and his wife in 1881 and open for business in 1882. The hotel was known for miles and had a reputation for excellence. But ten years after being built the hotel was destroyed by fire. The following year Lenhart rebuilt the hotel, in the same location. The new hotel contained fifty-two rooms.

Bemus Point has a rugged winter and being a tourist town the hotel keeps a seasonal schedule being open from Memorial Day and closing on Labor Day.

A summer is not complete until I make a trip to the Hotel Lenhart, enjoy a meal and take in the beautiful scenery

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Predictions for the leaves turning are at 55% for this coming weekend in Chautauqua County and Warren County.

photo credit: psyberartist

Many people travel for hours to see the leaves peak in N.W. NY. and PA. Between Chautauqua Lake, the Allegheny reservoir, the Great Lakes and the rolling foothills each scene holds the beauty and peace of fall.

For a relaxing trip the Chautauqua Lake Erie Wine trail combines fall reflections in lake Erie with two lighthouses, one in Westfield, NY and the other in Dunkirk, NY. The Chautauqua gorge is also beautiful at this time of year.

Bemus Point is also enjoyable, particularly if you dine at one of the restaurants on the Chautauqua Lake. Often after dinner we take a walk in the village and end up sitting on the porch of the Lenhart Hotel to watch the sun set over the water. Once in a while we will see the Chautauqua Belle or Summer Wind on one of its lake tours.

And if you have time for a canoe trip, floating down the Conewango Creek and through the remains of the glacial lakes just past Jamestown NY near Akeley Pa offer a peaceful and colorful ride at this time of year. You may see the Canadian Geese gathering for their migrating flight. I haven’t seen the Blue Heron lately so they must be headed south.

Fall isn’t complete to me without a trip to the Kinzua Dam, Lookout Point and if time permits, the Tionesta Scenic point. Many throughout the history on Warren PA have admired the hills and mini waterfalls in the Kinzua area.

Check out the original article,  Colors of the National Allegheny Forest at Allegheny Almanac for  Fall images by Chris Lareau.

The weather look great for a weekend of fall photography. I better make sure I have extra batteries for the camera!

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For those of you who know me, you know gardening is a passion. The color, taking care of the environment and the pure art created in a garden holds a fascination in all seasons. And the gardens in Chautauqua County and Chautauqua just instill how beautiful and rewarding gardens can be.

photo credit: Sue Manus

There are many garden supply centers and the climate, which is affected by Lake Erie and Chautauqua Lake make gardening both beautiful and challenging at times in this area. Those unexpected frosts can create havoc! But the gardens are always eye catching, even in the winter.

From time to time when I visit Chautauqua gardens I will let you know about them.

One area that always has beautiful gardens is the Chautauqua Institution. The Institute has a gardening crew year round but is much larger and busy during the spring and summer season. And the large quantity of gardens, landscaping and garden art tucked in a small community catch your attention.

As you wander the streets grounds of Chautauqua institution you will see small gardens tucked behind houses, on porches, or in hanging baskets on balconies. And for the first time this year Chautauqua had a community garden or victory garden.
photo credit: L-T-L

Many Chautauqua institution homeowners belong to the Bird, Tree and Garden club and gain valuable gardening information. And it shows in the gardening styles and plant varieties you find at the individual homes.

The Bird, Tree and Garden club also attend to gardens at various parks along with offering lectures and speakers on nature, birds and bats and gardening.

The gardening ground crew also maintains the parks, larger buildings and various other locations. Each season different gardens are planned for the front entrance, Athenaeum Hotel and hanging planters for many of the private homes.

I have always enjoyed watching the gardens, particularly in the Bestor Plaza change from spring bulbs to summer annuals. And the hanging baskets on most of the porches add an air of old world charm.

As the gardening season ends in our area, the vibrant colors at Chautauqua are fading, but splashes of fall plants and color are still present. You also enjoy the hardscape and perennial planting more at this time of year. In a few weeks most of the leaves will have fallen from the trees and a palette of browns, orange and grays will take over the landscape but the beauty of the landscape design and buildings will linger.

For gardening information you may want to check out The Bird Tree and Garden Club of Chautauqua. You may also want to check out Backyard Oasis or The Gardener’s Rake.

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