The property that surrounds Belhurst Castle was originally the site of a Seneca Indian village and home to the Council of the Six nations of Iroquois. The folklore that has sprung up in the last century, a rich tale of tragically doomed lovers, collapsed escape tunnels and the ghost of a woman in white, have remained an enduring mystery-until now. Mr. Lewis developed the largest herd of imported Guernsey cattle in the world, renewing the reputation of the White Springs Farm for stockbreeding. Currently, it is an upscale dining establishment with a banquet hall and a luxurious inn. The fire took four days to burn completely.

Unfortunately, the boathouse was consumed by fire several years later.

It was used as a general farm, though considerable nursery stock was raised by these brothers, who became leading nurserymen of the area.

Today White Springs Road is lined on both sides with attractive modern homes.

Top subscription boxes – right to your door, © 1996-2020, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Many items came from Europe. On a cliff overlooking Seneca Lake in upstate New York, the Belhurst Castle proudly stands at the site of previous mansions and Indian fortresses, a place riddled with history and fantastic legends. And now, Geneva Historical Society archivist Karen Osburn and the team at the Geneva Historical Society have been able to confirm some of the history by researching the people who lived there.

Mr. Willis C. Henderson, a Cornell University graduate, was farm manager from 1919-1931, helping to earn the farm its well-deserved reputation. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. On November 2, 1992, Mr. Duane and Deb Reeder became the present proprietors of Belhurst Castle. Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2015. Belhurst Castle History. GENEVA – Halloween may not be for months, but Ontario County’s Belhurst Castle is ready for the haunted season as the newest addition to New York State’s Haunted History Trail. Mr. Lewis sold the Guernseys, rather than replace the barns. Stonecutters is more eclectic and a more relaxing atmosphere. On the shores of Seneca Lake in the heart of the Finger Lakes Wine Region, Belhurst takes you away to a place filled with history, beauty and breathtaking views.

According to Osburn, “The Reeder’s breathed new life into Belhurst.”, In a 1992 Finger Lakes Times article about why he was interested in purchasing Belhurst Castle, Duane Reeder said: “I see it as a chance to preserve and enhance one of the truly outstanding properties in the area.”. Unfortunately, you would be wrong. It was brick on the outside and plaster on the inside, heated by a Furman Steam Boiler, and had wire partitions to separate the many breeds of fowl. A second out-building and the ranch house built in the 1950’s by Red Dwyer were converted to guest rooms. Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free. Overnight accommodates in 47 rooms; receptions up to 325. In 1946, fifteen acres of Keifer pears produced 2,ooo bushels. This included five wines and five cheeses for $10.00. Belhurst Castle Front Desk

Mrs. George H. Lewis (Katherine Bell) purchased 260 acres of the White Springs Farm in 1898 for her only son, Alfred G. Lewis. Hall did not seek medical treatment and died of blood poisoning a short time later. Mrs. Otis made the railroad company agree to maintain and preserve a right of way across the tracks so that she could have access to the lake. Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2015. Sunday, September 1, 1912, was a day of disaster for White Springs Farm and the immediate vicinity.