Chemong Lodge
764 Hunter St.
Bridgenorth, ON
K0L 1H0

Tel: 705-292-8435
Tel: 1-800-450-7965
Fax: 705-292-6208

Chemong Lodge was built in 1896 as a summer escape for the Bulls, a wealthy family from Buffalo New York. Past owners include the Desbeckers, the Wolfs and the Blackburns.

In 1962 Bob Northey investigated the purchase of The Lodge from Mrs. Blackburn as her husband had passed away and she tried to rent rooms to help fund the investment. After careful thought Bob made an offer to Mrs. Blackburn which she accepted. The first summer passed and at the end of October (to the family's surprise) the Lodge was not winterized so by November, mom Jane, daughters Debbie (5), Cathy (3) and son Doug (1) moved to their grandparents house for heat while father Bob drained the plumbing, put up the shutters and waited for next spring to reopen for the summer. At the time Chemong Lodge had 5 bedrooms and 4 cottages which were rented out to mostly U.S. tourists. Soon after the starting years, canoes, fishing boats, fishing tours and Sunday meals became available.

In 1969 one of the cottages was renovated and winterized so they could try and make the reality of the Northey's dream come true.  "A Historical restaurant serving great food and good cheer in warm surroundings."  1969 also was the year for a business venture that was hoped to at least make enough to continue renovations.

Chemong Lodge shared quarters with a Massy Ferguson dealer selling Ski Whiz snowmobiles, lawn tractors, and mini-bikes from Woods.  The show rooms were in the rooms which are called the Main Room and the Back Patio.  In the basement workshop, they serviced what they sold. 

Three years later it was time to make a move and take the next step.  A fire in Oshawa burnt the Oshawa Times and a restaurant next door.  All the equipment in the burnt-out restaurant was purchased by the Northey's and hauled into the Main Dining Room where the Massy Ferguson showroom had been.  Plastic was laid wall to wall and the scraping and scrubbing began.  The kitchen was built where Doug's Pub now resides.  Approval from all agencies were met and the Grand Opening of Chemong Lodge was held June 15, 1972.

Four menu items included the Roast Beef, Ribs (which is still the same cut available today), T-Bone Steak and Sirloin Steak.  Four course options were $1.50 extra.  Dinner prices ranged from $3.95 to $6.95.  No alcoholic drinks were available at that time due to Smith Township being dry. Those were the days of ordering pop and getting smashed on your own booze.

The summer of 1974 Chemong Lodge became the first Tavern in Smith and became the Chemong Lodge Tavern.

Many things have changed over the past 30 years but, we still strive to serve the best to our customers thanks to you and our dedicated staff.