In l833 when it was called Penniman's Tavern, Henry Wilson boarded there on his arrival from New Hampshire. As the Lake Shore House it was run by H. T. Hildreth. Hildreth built a large hall where Balls were held, but when this proved unprofitable it was turned into a carriage manufactory. In 1872 it was purchased by C. H. Sherman and was reconstructed as a hotel. The Table d'Hote, is furnished with all the delicacies of the season, and no pains whatever will be spared to cater to the wants of the public, and everything that pertains to a first class Hotel will be here found, and every want supplied, at terms the most reasonable and in style the most recherche.
Omnibuses pass the house on arrival and departure of trains.
In connection with the House is Elm Park, one of the best half mile tracks in the State. Horses trained by C. W. Howland. David Sheehan managed both the hotel and a fast professional baseball team. In 1887 John Draper bought Elm Park house and the race track. Trotting meets were popular and was an attraction both to the track and to the hotel.