Is the site of the Sherwood still haunted ?
By Johanna Elattar,
For nearly a century, the Sherwood Hotel was a central pillar in Hornell’s community life. Established in 1875, the hotel stood proudly at the corner of Canisteo Street and served as a landmark not only for travelers passing through, but for locals seeking comfort, camaraderie, and a place to celebrate milestones.
With its prime location near the Erie Railroad shops, the Sherwood was more than just a hotel—it was a microcosm of Hornell’s evolution. In its early days, the hotel provided much-needed accommodations to travelers arriving by rail, offering a touch of warmth and luxury in a growing industrial town. It also became a central meeting place for locals, hosting everything from intimate dinners to lively community events, solidifying its place in Hornell’s heart.
🕰️ The Rise of the Sherwood: A Town’s Heartbeat
From its grand opening, the Sherwood quickly became a fixture in the town. The hotel’s dining room was a hotspot for those celebrating life’s milestones—weddings, anniversaries, and even political gatherings. It wasn’t just a place to stay; it was where Hornell’s social life blossomed.
In the early 1900s, Hornell was a thriving industrial town, with the railroad shops at the center of its economy. As the town grew, the Sherwood grew with it. At one point, it was said that you could walk into the hotel and catch a glimpse of some of the most influential figures of the day—businessmen, politicians, and even railroad magnates who passed through Hornell on their way to bigger cities. It was said to have been one of the finest places in the town, and its grand architecture, complete with sweeping staircases and stately rooms, reflected the prosperity of the era.
By the mid-20th century, the hotel had witnessed the rise and fall of several businesses in Hornell. It stood as a reminder of the town’s golden age, a time when Hornell was known for its flourishing industry and tight-knit community. But as the years wore on, change loomed on the horizon. The city began its efforts to modernize the downtown area, and the Sherwood Hotel found itself caught in the wave of redevelopment.
🕺 The Last Dance: A Farewell to an Era
As the Sherwood’s final days approached, the people of Hornell knew that the end of an era was imminent. The hotel’s closure was part of a larger plan for urban renewal that would ultimately change the face of downtown Hornell. But before the wrecking ball could demolish the building, the Sherwood hosted one final event that would forever be etched in the town’s collective memory: the last dance.
Although the exact details of the evening are lost to time, many long-time residents recall the emotional significance of the event. Townsfolk flooded the ballroom, sharing one last evening of music and memories in the space they’d cherished for decades. The hotel’s dining room filled with the sounds of a piano playing, people laughing, and toasts being made, all in celebration of the Sherwood’s long history.
Some say that there was a sense of sadness that hung in the air, but others remember it as a joyful occasion—one last night to honor the Sherwood before it became a thing of the past. It was said to have been packed with people who had once called the hotel home, who shared stories and said their goodbyes. For many, it was more than just a dance—it was a symbolic farewell to the town’s golden age, a time they would never get back.
🏚️ Demolition and the Legacy of the Sherwood
After the final dance, the Sherwood Hotel’s fate was sealed. On July 25, 1972, it was demolished as part of Hornell’s Urban Renewal Program. The grand hotel, which had once been the center of the town’s social life, was reduced to rubble, making way for new development in the heart of downtown. Hornell’s downtown area was reshaped, and with it, the loss of the Sherwood Hotel.
But the legacy of the Sherwood did not end with the demolition. For years after the hotel was gone, rumors persisted about strange happenings near the hotel site. Some locals claimed to hear the sounds of a piano playing on windy nights, or faint voices drifting through the air, as if the spirits of the Sherwood’s past were reluctant to leave. Others swore they had seen figures lingering near the old hotel grounds, perhaps guests who had never truly checked out.
Even in its absence, the Sherwood’s spirit seemed to linger in Hornell’s collective memory, with some residents saying that on certain nights, when the town is quiet, you can still feel the presence of the grand hotel—watching over the streets it once called home.
💭 A Hotel with a Legacy That Lives On
The Sherwood Hotel may no longer stand in Hornell, but its legacy endures. It remains a beloved piece of the town’s history, a symbol of a time when the community thrived and came together in celebration. Whether it was the grand ballroom filled with laughter, the quiet moments shared over dinner, or the countless memories made within those walls, the Sherwood will always be a part of Hornell’s story.
For those who remember it, the Sherwood Hotel isn’t just a piece of history—it’s a reminder that some places, no matter how much time passes, never truly leave us. The final dance, the last goodbye—it’s all a part of what makes the Sherwood’s spirit live on. And who knows? Perhaps on quiet nights, when the moon hangs just right, you can still hear the soft strains of a piano, or feel the warmth of the Sherwood’s embrace.
Johanna Elattar is a recognized journalist whose work on social justice and human rights has been featured in the forthcoming Oxford University Press textbook, Race & Racisms (4th ed.). She writes deeply reported stories on community issues, culture, and investigative topics. You can contact her at Amerciangrrl70@gmail.com
