The White Inn

Fredonia, New York

The 24-room hotel known as the White Inn on the corner of White and Main Street was built in 1868 by Devillo White, second oldest son of Chautauqua County's first medical doctor, Dr. Squire White (1785-1857). He came to Fredonia then known as Canadaway in 1809.  For more than 100 years, the White Inn was a business in the Fredonia area. The pillared mansion served dinners, housed its guests and hosted its weddings for more than a century.  Many will remember the lighted sign which hung over Route 20 in the 1950s. 

The 25,000-square-foot building was constructed as a private residence in 1868 by members of the White family.  It became an inn in 1920 and remained an inn, going through various owners, until it closed in 2017. 

Fast forward to 2024 and on November 18 the White Inn opened its front doors for all to enjoy, once again, after being acquired and renovated by Steve St. George, owner of S. St. George Enterprises LLC and Devin Jones, a Chautauqua County restauranteur.  The $3.2 million project has restored the White Inn into a boutique hotel.   Brittany Ludemann and Morgan St. George were brought on as interior designers.  

A Menu from April 27, 1945

Inscribed with Fred Parker's love for his future wife, Shirley

Fred and Shirley's son, Bill Parker of Vernon, Connecticut contacted the OBSERVER about the menu, after noticing its stories about the White Inn's purchase and restoration.  Bill hopes the menu consisting of a regular bill of fare and a list of "specials" can be put on display in the Inn. 

My parents attended college in Fredonia during WWII.  This is where they met.  My dad was called into the Army and they stayed in touch all the time with letters.  During one leave from the Army my dad traveled back to Fredonia to see my mom.  On this occasion he proposed to her .. at the White Inn.

Bill Parker

The proposal was accepted and Fred wrote a love note on the back of the regular menu to mark the occasion.  He even scrawled out a poem, too.  The happy couple kept the menus as a momento. The menus have become a cherished piece of Parker family history offering a glimpse into what restaurants on the home front offered at the close of WWII.  

On the regular menu, chicken sandwiches were offered for 50 cents.  A bowl of soup was 15 cents.  Homemade pie, ice cream and sherbet were available for dessert.  There was no "pop" to drink.  Beverage choices were fruit juices, coffee, tea, milk chocolate or buttermilk for 10 cents. Southern fried chicken was the priciest item at $1.25.  Calves' liver served with onions was 85 cents.  Roast pork and applesauce was 85 cents. 

The goal of the White Inn project is to bring guests the modern amenities of a high-end stay, while preserving the old charm that the White Inn became known for over more than a century.

Jarrod Mills, Project Manager

We're trying to show the beauty of the White Inn to younger generations to help them appreciate it as one of the Fredonia staples. 

Morgan St. George

The new White Inn will not only feature 25 renovated guest rooms, it will feature a board room.  All rooms will be non-smoking with select rooms being pet friendly.

The rooms will have a tradtional style with a little bit of modern.

Brittany Ludemann

The major renovation project focused on local companies and workers to restore the historic building. Steve St. George pushed for local companies to be used whenever possible, with the majority of 30 companies and 150 workers being locally sourced.

This is our building in our community.  We want to use our community as much as we can.

Steve St. George

A sign will be constructed to highlight all of the companies that contributed to the restoration of the White Inn.

The venue is eyeing a gazebo on site to accommodate outdoor weddings while an all new seating area is being designed on the west end of the hotel for guests to enjoy on nice days.  Rocking chairs will be stationed on the porch, as well.  

We really want to be able to show the community that we're keeping this local.  We're really excited that all these local companies are willing to help us restore this building.

Brittany Ludeman