by Erin Feith, Coordinator of Research & Visitor Engagement
January 28, 2025
Once situated on Main Street in Chatham, the Fairview House attracted visitors from far and near to the Morris County hamlet upon its opening around 1875. The hotel, which was constructed on its two-acre property by local builder Merrit B. Lum for wealthy summer resident William Martin, catered to New York millionaires, advertising itself as a country escape only three minutes’ walk from the train depot. During its tenure, the development of the Fairview House reflected the effect of national and international events at the local level.
Management of the Fairview House changed over time with William Martin almost immediately putting the business up for lease. Its convenient and picturesque location, however, consistently drew crowds of visitors. The Morris & Essex Railroad had reached Chatham in 1837, connecting New York millionaires to the “fine mountain air” and open acreage of Morris County, and hotel touted its close proximity to the local station, which was just one hour’s ride from NYC. At its height, the white-shingled Fairview House offered luxury accommodations at $3 a night (~$105 today) for up to 150 guests, offering live music, dances, tennis, ping pong, bowling, and euchre tournaments.
As the 20th century began, the Fairview House felt the effects brought on by new modes of transportation and global conflicts. Automobiles quite literally drove the wealthy to farther-flung locations that were now easier to access. The shift led to a decline in out-of-town reservations, and the hotel to become largely shuttered except for its dining room. It received something of a second life with the start of WWI, as it was used for the headquarters of the Chatham Red Cross, but even this revival was short-lived, as a 1918 fire destroyed the barroom. The loss was compounded further by the enactment of Prohibition, which hampered any remaining hopes of reopening the once grand hotel.
By the 1920s, the Fairview House was put on the market for around $20,000 (~$364,861 today). With still-fresh memories of WWI, local resident and brother of the Fairview House’s builder, Charles M. Lum, presented a plan for purchasing the property to construct a Memorial Park that featured a public library and recreational area. Quickly gaining public support, the park was dedicated to Chatham’s WWI veterans in July 1920. Today, Memorial Park and the Library of the Chathams continue to serve the community, as the Fairview House once did, through generations of change.
Did you enjoy this blog? MCHS is an independent nonprofit. Please consider supporting our mission at morriscountyhistory.org/donate or become a member at morriscountyhistory.org/get-involved/ to help us continue to preserve and promote Morris County history through programs, exhibits, and blogs like this.
