From French Eclectic Retreat to Top Vacation Destination
Clayton, New York’s exquisite Fairview Manor is rich with history. Learn more about the French-styled manor and how it went from a summer retreat for a world traveling business owner to being the pinnacle of vacation destinations in New York State.
Carl Zimmerman’s Retreat
World-traveler and cosmopolitan, Carl Zimmerman, originally built Fairview Manor as his summer retreat in 1937. The businessman constructed the summer home from boulders and stone found on the property, which served as a quarry operated by the farmer who originally sold him the land. Zimmerman built the impressive European castle with a distinctively French flair.
The original windmill built by Carl Zimmerman in 1937.
Alongside the palatial castle—with its spectacular terrace overlooking the Saint Lawrence River—Zimmerman erected a Dutch-style windmill, which pumped water from the river to his spacious summer retreat. The building is inventive in form, with the view of the river and the stunning sunset views offering the perfect place to watch the ships float by, creating a memorable and enchanted space.
Sisters of the Holy Cross
After the death of Mr. Zimmerman in 1958, the French-styled manor and accompanying 16 acres, were sold to the Sisters of the Holy Cross. The Sisters, from St. Joseph’s Province of Ottawa, Canada, built a chapel next to the manor and the teaching order of the Catholic nuns used the waterfront property as a summer retreat from 1962 until they sold the estate in the year 2000. In 2007, Fairview Manor was listed on the National Register of Historical Places.
Top New York Vacation Destination
After the manor sat vacant for close to a decade, the property was purchased, along with the chapel, the mill, cottages near the manor, and the fabulous St. Lawrence River view. The new owners, Doreen and Jody Garrett, meticulously renovated and restored the mansion, turning it into a destination hot spot. After a complete restoration, The Château is now home to the Saint Lawrence Spirits; a family owned and operated farm-based distillery, fine dining farm-to-table restaurant, and boutique hotel. Visitors from all over the world come for the majestic views of the river and the one-of-a-kind dining and distillery experience.
Breathtaking views from the Saint Lawrence Spirits Chateau terrace.
The Distillery, which was built adjacent to the Manor in 2014, provides quality small batch craft spirits and is proud to be named New York State's 2019 Distillery of the Year. Their Craft Spirits are distilled on-site, including Vodka, Gin, Moonshine & Absinthe, along with Whiskey and Bourbon currently aging in American Oak Barrels. They are the first distillery to used purified Saint Lawrence River Water to proof down all their spirits, providing The Spirit Of The River In Every Bottle®.
The Saint Lawerence Spirit Distillery and mill.
The Chateau Restaurant was awarded Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence in 2018 and 2019. The restaurant is open year-round, offering brunch, lunch, and dinner, along with special feature nights, such as Fish Fry Fridays, Mexican Mondays, Date Night Thursdays, and Prime Rib Saturdays. The Chateau works with local farmers, such as Lucky Star Ranch, bringing the freshest and highest quality produce, grain-fed beef, and wild game—taking the Farm-To-Table Experience to a whole new level in the 1000 Islands area. The fine dining restaurant is the perfect locale for private wedding ceremonies and dinner parties, and the Boutique Hotel is the ideal accommodation for anyone ready to experience a one-of-a-kind serene river-view stay.
Exquisite farm-to-table dining at the Chateau.