Old hotel on Rt. 40 leveled
The New Meadow Run Bruderhof, located on Route 40 in Farmington, recently tore down its oldest building, the former Gorley’s Lake Hotel. “The reason it’s coming down is that it got too old,’ said spokesman Sam Hine. “It was beyond repair and the cost of maintaining it was prohibitive. We didn’t want it to become unsafe or an eyesore to passing motorists. We decided to have it come down.’
According to a history provided by Hine: “Ninety-nine years ago, a Uniontown businessman named Charles Gorley Sr. dammed a stream in Farmington and created a mile-long lake, which soon became a popular recreation spot. In July 1923, he held the grand opening for Gorley’s Lake Hotel, which after several additions would have 80 guest rooms. A ballroom built in 1931 became the site of many school proms, dances and parties. But the resort fell on hard times and by 1957 the place was put up for sale.’
The Bruderhof, which is a pacifist Christian community, purchased the building on July 15, 1957, and immediately moved in. Hine said the residents included about 100 men, women and children from other communities in North Dakota, New York, Georgia and South America and Europe.
“In 1957, the building provided a home for the entire community: apartments, community room, kitchen, laundry, school and offices – everything was in one building, except the woodshop, which was in a boathouse nearby,’ Hine said.
The history explained the guestrooms were divided into family apartments. The ballroom became a school with the cocktail lounge serving as a kindergarten.
Through the years, the Bruderhof constructed another 10 buildings on their property, which includes more than 100 acres.
They included a new laundry, medical clinic, dining facility and school. The community has been vacating the old hotel for the past couple of years. Most recently, it was used for offices and family dwellings.
A new community called Spring Valley Bruderhof was opened in 1990.
It is located across Route 40 from New Meadow Run and is accessible from Route 381.
The history noted, “Forty-nine years later, this valley is home to over 500 people who live and work together, share everything, and care for one another in two communal villages called New Meadow Run and Spring Valley. Just as in 1957, there are no rich or poor, no homeless or unemployed, and anyone is welcome to come join in the fun for a day, a week or a lifetime.’
The demolition of the former hotel began in early April with the contractor working on the inside. The building now is down and cleanup work still is taking place. For now, the Bruderhof just plans to landscape the site.
The New Meadow Run Bruderhof will have a local history evening at 4 p.m. Saturday, May 13. In particular, the community is inviting people who were employed at Gorley’s or guests of the resort to celebrate the history of the building.
Visitors are welcome to both communities. A neighborhood dinner is held every Saturday at 6:30 p.m.
Hine said, “We’re thankful for how we were welcomed in 1957 in Fayette County. We were provided with a home and have felt thankful ever since, and we’re looking forward to the next 50 years.’