Not long ago, I said 1952 was the year of modern, large supermarkets making their debut in Oneonta. This time, it was 1962 when Oneonta began to see modern motels established within the city limits.
The Oasis Motor Inn on Chestnut Street and the Town House on Main Street were established that year.
The Oasis is known today as Motel 88. A restaurant and nightclub opened on-site, also named the Oasis, is known today as the Iron Chef Buffet.
The Town House, at 318 Main St., was built around the property of the Masonic Temple, the former residence of Congressman George W. Fairchild.
"Joseph (Jerry) Monser, a former Oneonta restaurateur, plans to build a 20 unit motel and restaurant on Chestnut Street within the city limits," reported The Oneonta Star of Tuesday, May 1, 1962.
"Mr. Monser asked the Zoning Board of Appeals on Monday night if the property he purchased at 340 Chestnut Street could be commercially rezoned to a greater depth than the 150 feet stated by the law at this time."
The home and frontage on Chestnut Street was purchased from Helen and Bruce VanBuren.
Monser wanted a deeper lot so there could be ample parking in the front and give neighboring properties a less "impaired vision" from their houses. The zoning board did grant the change, which required the demolition of a small barn in the back of the property. Construction began that year.
Once again the Zoning Board of Appeals was called on in late August 1962, regarding the establishment of a downtown motel, the Town House. The board gave an initial approval to the plan Monday, Aug. 27, and sent it on to the Common Council.
The Star reported: "The pair planning the motel are Donald M. Charles, manager of the Oneonta Community Hotel, and Henry L. Hulbert, an Oneonta attorney. ...
"Proposed site of the L-shaped motel is on Main and Grand Streets bordering the two sides of the Oneonta Masonic Temple. ...
"First phase in the motel construction -- will be 28 units with entrances on both Main and Grand Streets. The Masons gave the pair an option on a lease of land earlier this year. ...
"Eventual plans -- which may be realized by 1966 -- call for construction of 20 more units for a total of 48 in all. ...
"'We want to build something of beauty, as well as a set of bedrooms,' Mr. Hulbert said. Plans were for keeping trees in front of the Masonic Temple, and there would be 'green space in the overall plan.'"
As presented to the Common Council, no one appeared to oppose the motel plans at a public hearing, so the property was rezoned commercial.
"As far as official barriers are concerned there are none left," the Star reported Tuesday, Sept. 11.
Construction began but was suddenly halted in November. At a special meeting Friday night, Nov. 23, Common Council met and voted, 3-2, to have the construction halted, after discovering in a building permit process that an obscure city ordinance had been ignored, regarding fire limits on buildings.
The building had been designed to have exterior walls of redwood, the point of contention.
Alderman C. Wesley Coddington, First Ward, spoke in favor of backing up the 1932 ordinance, but qualified his answer with, "In this occasion, I see no reason why we can't amend the ordinance."
While construction was indeed halted, the problem was eventually resolved, and the Town House opened in 1963.
This weekend: News about the D&H Railroad in Oneonta was plentiful during January 1912.
City Historian Mark Simonson's column appears twice weekly. On Saturdays, his column focuses on the area during the Depression and before. His Monday columns address local history after the Depression. If you have feedback or ideas about the column, write to him at The Daily Star, or email him at simmark@stny.rr.com. His website is www.oneontahistorian.com. His columns can be found at www.thedailystar.com/marksimonson.
Columns
Oasis, Town House motels new to Oneonta in 1962
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