Point Chautauqua Historical Preservation Society

In 1875 the Chautauqua County Baptist Group contacted Frederick Law Olmsted to design for them a religious retreat. Olmsted agreed and toured Chautauqua Institution, originally know as Fair Point. Olmsted envisioned something in keeping with his landscape design talent, rather than the grid layout, similar to Central Park in New York , Brooklyn’s Prospect Park and several parks in nearby Buffalo, New York. Olmsted favored the naturalistic layout of a park or in this case a residential community. The roads in Point Chautauqua curve and wind along the hillside allowing visitors and residents views of Lake Chautauqua at nearly every step. Trees and native plantings highlight the topography, offer shade and natural beauty to the neighborhood. The Point flourished in the late 1800’s into the late 1930’s. In the 1950’s Hungarian refugees sought solace at Lake Chautauqua as it reminded them of Lake Balaton in Hungary. Their retreats here revitalized the community. Since then, all original structures have been removed but two wooded areas remain: the Tabernacle grounds and Corinthian Grove. Today, about 100 homes compromise this cozy, serene lakeside community dedicated to preserving Frederick Law Olmstead’s creation. Point Chautauqua was listed on the New York State Register of Historic Places March 1996 and on the National Register of Historic Places May 1996.