I’m in Sherman, New York, in Chautauqua County, and I need to tell the story of a specific business district in the city. Like a cat, it has had several lives. He has even risen from the ashes on several occasions.
The first layout on the West Main Street site was built in 1837. It is home to the first of many hotels under many other names. There are the Sherman House, the Dean House, the Tucker Hotel, the Sherman Hotel, the Whitney House, the Sherman Hotel and the Morse Hotel. A chimney destroyed or severely destroyed the building in 1878, 1890 and 1991. After the 1991 chimney, it was rebuilt to a single-story status quo with no hotel room.
Nancy Card lived here as a young woman when her grandparents owned the Morse Hotel. Remember how colorful the city of Sherman was in the 1940s and 1950s.
“There was a cinema. There were two hardware stores, four grocery stores and now there are some,” he says.
There was a time when Sherman had two car dealerships and four gas stations. Those days are over. However, Sherman returns. The return includes a new on-site activity from all those other hotels. It’s called Sherman Hotel Steakhouse and Saloon. Owner Dave Conrad says he had no trouble thinking of the name.
“People say, ‘We went to the hotel. Let’s move on to the hotel. ‘ In fact, I wasn’t going to replace it with anything else, because it’s in the mindset of other people my age and generation,” Dave says.
Dave aspired to own a steakhouse. He is proud to share the history of this site on West Main Street. He says many memories have been made here. The building even housed a motorcycle club. You can still see the skid marks on the ground. Dave needs other people to not forget about his steaks. He personally cuts the premium Angus beef every morning. The steakhouse has only been open for a month and other people who have visited already return again and again.
“I can’t tell you how many people said it was the most productive steak they’ve ever eaten in their lives and I’m not exaggerating,” Dave says. “People who say this really like beef. Even farm animals The rancher came in and said it was the most productive steak he had ever eaten outdoors in his own home.
My history lesson with Nancy and Dave is over. Now I am distracted by the smell and sizzle of a glorious grilled steak. It’s time to sit at a table and create my own memories in this e.
The Village of Sherman recently opened two new bed and breakfasts. A new tavern opened on West Main Street. A primary renovation of the Edmunds Public Park is underway. Further revitalization and economic progression is expected in Sherman.