Location: Gouverneur, Thousand Islands, New York, USA (1/2 Hour from 1000 Islands Area, Black Lake and Canton, NY)
Accommodations: House, 3 Bedrooms + Loft, 2 Baths (Sleeps 6-8)
Welcome to The Oswegatchie River Cliff House, our latest and finest lodge. Our 1850s historic barn /converted lodge is designed for discriminating travelers who are looking for exceptionally unique and elegant vacation lodging, away from the crowds, and in a world class setting of natural beauty and solitude. We will be providing both here.
The 2200 sq. ft. lodge has been fashioned from an antique timber frame barn that was dismantled in Canada and transported to our 85-acre non-working farm here in St. Lawrence County. It has been rebuilt on the cliffs overlooking a remote section of the Oswegatchie River, one of the most pristine and clean rivers in upstate NY and the 1000 Islands region. Our firm, Antique Woods and Colonial Restorations, has been restoring historic barns and houses all over America for over 35 years now. We have tried to incorporate all the best design features and wonderful aged woods into our lodge that we have encountered in our past years doing this kind of work. If you are a historic barn lover or fan of old timber frame construction you will find our new lodge to an absolute gem in a absolutely stunning private and natural setting. The antique floors and chestnut kitchen are being fabricated and installed as spring arrives in preparation for our upcoming opening.
The Barn/Lodge exposes all the original timber frame and rafters and has cathedral ceilings in the kitchen, dining and great room and two upstairs bedrooms. All these antique woods have been gleaned from other historic structures. The entire custom kitchen was designed and built by our craftsmen and made of aged wormy chestnut and finished with tongue oil.
The kitchen, dining room and great room are connected, and there is a loft and open stairs that all face a large wall of glass that overlooks the Oswegatchie River through the pine trees. This wonderfully beautiful and private area where the lodge is located is back off a small country road about ¼ mile in the forest and sits in a grove of tall pine, oak and ash trees.
From the Great Room, three sliding glass doors lead to a large 50-foot deck which provides a wonderful place to eat and relax under the tall pine trees. From here you have a spectacular elevated view of the Oswegathcie River as it meanders down through this remote and practically inaccessible section of the river. You will not see any other houses here. There is a series of stairs to multi-leveled decks that lead down to the river and the swimming, fishing and kayaking area. The waters here are very clear, the bottom is very sandy, and the river is loaded with small mouth bass, pike and other assorted fish. We provide kayaks and life vests and fishing rods. We have an outside gas grill and patio furniture on both decks and a picnic table, lawn chairs and a floating dock to swim or fish from down at the river.
The master bedroom and master bath are downstairs and two other bedrooms are upstairs with a second bath between them. The loft has a queen sofa sleeper. The spacious master bath has Jacuzzi tub/shower, chestnut vanity and sink, and washer and dryer. Other amenities include cable TV and wireless internet. We provide food for your first morning’s breakfast. The lodge is furnished with all antiques and some hand crafted reproductions made from our reclaimed barn woods. The kitchen is very large and equipped with all new appliances and quality pots and pans of all sorts.
This area of the river provides just superb smooth water kayaking. The river winds down through remote forested areas and farm lands and there are literally miles of secluded kayaking and/or fishing where you don't see another house in sight. The banks of the Oswegatchie are lined with wild flowers, ferns, rock cliffs and many pine stands along the way, and of course a lot of wildlife. If hiking is your forte, we have several miles of easy to moderate groomed hiking trails through the 85-acre farm that is used only by you and our guests at our other lodge in the original farmhouse of the property, separated from the Cliff House by ¼ mile of forest and pasture. You are completely isolated at the Cliff House here.
It is centrally located in St. Lawrence County. Gouverneur is 10 minutes away from the lodge, Canton (St. Lawrence and SUNY Canton Universities) - 30 minutes away, Potsdam (Clarkson and SUNY Potsdam Universities) - 45 minutes, Black lake -15 minutes and 1000Islands-30 minutes.
This is a really special place. Please check out our main web site for more information.
We rent weekly from Sat to Sat but if you are a last minute traveler, check with us as we may have some flexibility if we are not filled.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Air Conditioning: Room air conditioners in bedrooms and great room
- Washer
- Dryer
- Linens Provided
- Off Street Parking: Plenty of space for cars or pick-up
- Parking for RV/Boat/Trailer: Space for the largest RV or boats
- Gas Fireplace: Gas stove in Great Room with Glass door.
- Beds
- King Bed: King bed in the Master Bedroom downstairs with memory foam mattresses
- Queen Bed (2) : Queen beds in two upstairs bedrooms with memory foam mats. Queen sofa sleeper in loft with Memory foam topper.
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV
- DVD
- Video Library
- Stereo System
- Jetted Tub in Bath: Very deep jacuzzi tub shower in master bath downstairs.
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen: New quality pots and pans and all utensils, dishes etc. Stocked with salt, pepper, sugar, cooking oil, spices, mayo, ketchup, mustard, jams and jellies, sleepy time tea, and other assorted get started staples
- Cooking Utensils Provided: Everything is new and very good quality
- Refrigerator
- Microwave
- Outdoor Features
- Gas/Electric BBQ Grill: Gas cook grill on deck
- Deck/Patio (2) : Huge elevated deck off of dining room with half under a post and beam roof. Overlooks river and another deck half way down to the river.
- Balcony (2) : Two more balconies, one off of master bedroom and one off of great room.
- View/Location
- Waterfront, not Lake/Oceanfront. Ask for details: House right on elevated banks of river. Extremely private, no houses, roads or anything in site or even near. Closest road is 1/4 mile. A good place to scream if you have the need.
- Communications
- Telephone
- WiFi (Wireless Internet): High speed WiFi signal all through the lodge
- Other Amenities
- Multi Leveled Decks and Stairs Leading to the River for Swimming, Fishing and Kayaking. Stairs to the river area and easy access to shallow water or deep water. Sandy bottom. 2 Kayaks and life vests provided. 2 fishing rods provided and basic gear.
- Suitability
- Pet Friendly: Small or very well behaved dogs permitted up on request. $20.00 per night pet fee.
- Kid Friendly: Lodgers must sign a waiver of responsibility and agree to supervise children under 16 while at the river area.
- Minimum Age Limit for Renters: 21 years old.
- Smoking Not Allowed: Absolutely no smoking in the lodge. We provide ash trays outside and please no butts on ground.
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Golf
- Tennis
- Zoo/Wildlife Park
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Restaurants
- Rafting
- Kayaking
- Sailing
- Boating
- Waterskiing
- Parasailing
- Jet Skiing
- Swimming
- Snorkeling/Diving
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Cross Country Skiing
- Downhill/Alpine Skiing
- Snowboarding
- Snowmobiling
- Sledding/Tubing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Fitness Center/Gym
- Basketball Court
- Antiquing
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Museums
- Horseshoes
- Horseback Riding
- Other Activities
- Guided or Unguided Smooth water Kayak Float Trips, Amish Horse and Buggy Tours of Amish Country.
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
$1800(May)$2000(June,July,Sept.)$2200(Aug)/week(6people)
$25 each additional person per night (Max 8 people).
10% local and NY state tax.
Lodge rented weekly Sat-Sat.
Opening for lodgers June 27,09
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Credit Cards Accepted:
Owner's Profile
Owner Description
Year Purchased: 2009
Sophie and Dale Lehmer moved to the area about 5 years ago and live in an abandoned farmhouse they restored on a farm boarding the Oswegatchie River. Sophie is Russian and grew up in the Novosibirsk Academy town in Siberia, Russia. Her parents were both important scientists in the Soviet times and her father was a leading expert that helped develop the rocket fuel to put Yuri Gagarin in space. She was fortunate to grow up in Academy town as this was one of the two major places where Soviet Scientists lived and worked, and she had the opportunity to learn and study the English Language that she loves. (She does the spell and grammar check on all our writings). After graduating from high school, she went on to become a physicist at Tartu State University in Estonia.
Dale grew up in Pennsylvania and after high school received an athletic scholarship and attended Wheaton College where he graduated in 1966 with a BS degree, majoring in psychology. He later went on to get his Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Indiana. He played football, baseball and wrestled in college and still has some of the injuries to prove it. Upon graduation, Dale worked with hard core delinquent boys for 10 years. He then started his current company that dismantles and rebuilds early barns and homes all across the country -- Antique Woods and Colonial Restoration. He has been doing this work for over 30 years now and is considered as one of the experts in his field. He has done barn homes for many high profile people including Robert DeNiro and Ted Kopple. Dale has two children and one grandchild.
Why the Owner Chose Gouverneur
We chose the building site of the Cliff house because of the stunning beauty in this area of the banks of the Oswegatchie River. The house is nestled in amongst very tall hemlock, oak and ash trees right on the elevated banks of this very secluded section of the river.
The Unique Benefits of this House
Total privacy with no other houses or really civilization in site. The river in this area is full of wildlife, fish and is very clean and inviting. Wonderful swimming and kayaking area. The Cliff house is a retreat for rest, relaxation, beauty and nature in total privacy.
Property Photos
- View of the lodge from the river - Gouverneur, NY Historic Barn Lodge with River View, Kayaks and Fishing
- Loft - Gouverneur, NY Historic Barn Lodge with River View, Kayaks and Fishing
- Decks - Gouverneur, NY Historic Barn Lodge with River View, Kayaks and Fishing
- Fully stocked kitchen
- Floating on the deck on Oswegatchie River
- Master Bedroom
- View of the living room
- Living and Dining Rooms
Guest Comments (7)
First (6) of (7). View all comments
Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #232319
There have been 2562 visitors to this page since the counter was last reset in 2009.
This listing was first published here in 2009.
Date last modified - October 28, 2009
Positive Rating
You have indeed created a place of wonder here! I know you are proud of your Cliff House, and I thank you for the opportunity to share in the unique experience of total piece that prevails here. We were truly lucky to have stumbled upon this rare jewel where we could slow down and just enjoy being together. We so enjoyed the kayaks. The river here is tranquil and refreshing. A very special day on the water followed by a swim from the dock here at the house. We hate to leave but will do so much rejuvenated by our "Cliff House" experience.
Positive Rating
Thank you! What a wonderful refuge. You exceeded our very highest expectations. We had a wonderful time enjoying the serenity! The river was gorgeous, the kayaking a dream. We enjoyed your thoughtfully designed and finely crafted home and your warm hospitality! A truly special place.
Positive Rating
Thank you both so very much for inviting us to share your special retreat. We had a wonderful time reading, relaxing, kayaking, fishing, and reconnecting with the family. Thank you for this needed and memorable vacation. We will be sure to visit again.
Positive Rating
To the guests to follow: May you find the Cliff House as physically relaxing and as spiritually re-energizing as we did!
Positive Rating
Hello lucky guests to follow! We've been the first to inaugurate this magnificent Cliff House. To anyone seeking aesthetic perfection, peace, beauty, and kind and caring hosts, congratulations. You've found it all. We've had a wonderful week and are in awe of the way Dale and Sophie have created this very, very special place. It's so much more than a "vacation" stop. Everything about this place and setting has been memorable. Enjoy! And thanks Dale and Sophie!
Positive Rating
Just want to thank you again for a wonderful week! Watching the Oswegatchie River rolling by the deck provided more hours of pleasure and complete relaxation than we thought possible! The house is truly a work of art and just the right combination of rustic and elegant, cozy and luxurious..