Glen Iris Inn

Formerly the country estate of William Pryr Letchworth, the Glen Iris Inn has welcomed guests as a country inn since 1914. The inn overlooks magnificent Middle Falls on the Genesse River ans is surrounded by the beauty of Letchworth State Park. William P. Letchworth was looking for the perfect site for a country retreat where he could entertain his family and friends. One morning in the spring of 1858 he stepped off a train as it slowly approached a bridge high above the Genesee River . Standing on the bridge, he was touched by the natural beauty of the powerful river rushing below. Gazing at the falls, he noticed that the sun shining on the spray below formed a perfect rainbow. While walking along the left bank of the river, Letchworth found a large two-story frame house located near the remains of the a burned-out lumber mill. Owned by Michael Smith, the house had been built by Alva Palmer in 1828. The view was spectacular, and as he gazed toward the South overlooking the falls, he knew he had found his country retreat.