Avon Inn

Local historians maintain that if the history of the Genesee Valley had never been written, it could easily have been recreated from the reflective history of the Avon Inn.  

 

Built circa 1840, this beautiful Greek revival structure was initially the residence of Jonathan H. Gerry, a successful grower of broom corn. After 1866, it was operated as a health center that was well known from Maine to Florida. Water from the sulfur springs was used to treat rheumatism, neuralgia, malaria and other conditions. Among many “firsts,” the Avon Inn had the first central heating system in the Genesee Valley; the first elevator in upstate New York; and was the site of the first bank and post office of Livingston County.   

 

The wealthy and the famous were often guests at the Avon Inn. Some of these well-known personages were George Eastman, Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Harvey Firestone, Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt, General Jonathan M. Wainwright, Corregidor hero of World War II and Katharine Hepburn.   

 

Beginning as early as 1883, the Avon Inn was featured in many newspapers and magazine articles, both locally and nationally.   In February 1979, the Avon Inn was extensively damaged by a fire. The fire destroyed the 3rd floor, which was added on in the earlier years as a health resort. The Inn was restored after two years of extensive renovations by then owner Frank Csapo. The property was then sold to Linda Moran who successfully operated the Inn for 34 years until her retirement in 2016.   

 

Which brings us to present day. The Inn is again being renovated (2017) and reopened its doors in 2018 under new ownership. The Inn features a newly designed ballroom to host special events, corporate retreats and weddings of up to 200 guests. Fourteen boutique style hotel rooms are also available. Both guests of the hotel and the local community will be able to enjoy casual dining in the bar/tavern area as well as the expansive wrap-around porch.

 

The Avon Inn was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1989. Based on the guidelines from the State Historical Preservation Office, we are exempt from ADA Compliance due to the age of the building. We do offer a chair lift for guests with mobility issues as well as shower grab bars at no cost for all rooms.