The History Behind the Wayside Inn

1825

The house was originally built by John Pierce Jr., whose uncle was Franklin Pierce, the 14th President of the United States. The structure started as a four room homestead on Crawford Notch Road in Bethlehem township. This is now known as Pierce Bridge. His wife Sarah enlarged the building in 1901 to now be a 12 room and three and a half story home. She planted trees, many of which still stand today. In 1907, Pierce Jr. died leaving the property to his then wife and children.

1910

The property was sold to Arthur E. Bowles who operated the building as a hotel for the railroad workers. The Bethlehem Junction Station was across the street from the hotel.

1917

Joseph G. Williamson bought the estate in 1917. He continued to operate the hotel for the railroad workers until the station was abandoned in 1922. In 1927 a 14-room wing was added to the building. From then on, it was operated as a full service hotel. 

1944

S. Robert and Mabel A. Jellison along with Mrs. Amy Fitzgerald purchased and operated the inn until 1947.

1947

Frank W. Gilber of Dorset, VT. then purchased the property and renovated it to include a riding ring, nine-hole par 3 golf course, a swimming hole, lawn billiards, skating rink, and a one-mile sleigh ride track. The golf course was designed with help from Jellison, who modeled it after courses at the Carolina Hotel in Pinehurst, N.C.

1968

Kate and Bela Sveda bought the hotel in 1968 and executed serious renovations. They enlarged the dining room, added the lounge, and built the annex building. (they also added the now decommissioned tennis courts)

1985

Victor and Kathy Hofmann bought the hotel in 1985. Their family renovated all of the hotel rooms in 1998. Before the Hofmanns the rooms did not have private baths

2017

In August of 2017, Sarah Levy purchased the Wayside Inn. Sarah has worked to update the inn while still keeping its historical charm intact. The roofs have been replaced and new floors and updated balconies added to the annex building along with countless other upgrades. The Wayside now serves not only as a hotel and restaurant, but an event space for weddings, parties, festivals and more!