History at One Park Place
An enduring presence in the ever-evolving landscape of downtown Fredonia, NY
Hezekiah Barker Log Cabin
1808
The corner of West Main Street (Route 20) and Park Street in Fredonia has been a prominent and valuable location since the area’s earliest settlement. Its first known use dates to 1808, when Hezekiah Barker built a log home and tavern on the site, later selling it to Mosely Abell. In 1821, the structure was illuminated by gas, possibly making it the first hotel in America to do so, according to the Dunkirk Evening Observer. This sketch is an approximation.
General Lafayette stayed at the hotel in 1824, an event commemorated by a plaque now displayed on the side of the One Park Place building. The site is also listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
As a crossroads for major east–west and southbound stage lines, Fredonia became a hub of travel and commerce, bringing steady business to the hotel. In 1836, Captain Samuel Johnson constructed a brick hotel on the site, opening the Johnson House on July 4, 1837. Later owned by W. H. Taylor and renamed the Taylor House, it served for many years as the region’s principal hostelry.
General Lafayette & The Johnson House
1824-1837
The Columbia Hotel
1892
In 1892, a group of Fredonia businessmen constructed a new hotel that incorporated part of the original Johnson House. Captain E. A. Curtis, Frank W. Tarbox, and Dr. M. M. Fenner formed the Fredonia Hotel Company and named the property the Columbia Hotel. Occupying the block bounded by West Main, Center, Church, and Park Streets, the hotel catered to traveling salesmen and tourists.
The Fredonia Censor described the Columbia Hotel as bright cream in color with white trim. It featured 70 guest rooms, some with private baths, along with a passenger and baggage elevator, steam heat, and incandescent electric lighting.
The hotel also promoted its convenient transportation access, noting that electric streetcars ran directly to both Dunkirk railroad depots and connected with more than 40 passenger trains daily, with arrivals and departures at the hotel every half hour.
The Russo Building
1925
The Russo building was constructed in 1925 after a tragic fire destroyed the Columbia Hotel which had stood on the present site from 1892-1918. The site was rebuilt in a Neo-Colonial style. Its most previous owner was the Russo family until 1972 when it was purchased by Edward and Gary Wragge.
One Park Place
1972-Present
It has been renamed One Park Place and has had one owner for the past 44 years. Gary Wragge has spent the intervening years bringing the building to its present state of full occupancy as the village centerpiece of retail, business, and downtown living units.
