Medina in Orleans County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

White's Hotel

345 Main Street

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, April 21, 2017

1. White's Hotel Marker

Inscription. Known most commonly as White's Hotel, this building has had several different names throughout its history. Built by Botsford Fairman back in 1834, Fairman's Arcade housed a grocery, a bank, an insurance office and more. In 1869, it was sold to Johnathan A. Johnson of Yates, who turned it into the Johnson House Hotel.
In 1872, it was purchased by Henry S. Bancroft, renaming the Bancroft House. He remodeled the hotel and added a 60-foot tower and a mansard roof, creating an outstanding landmark. He also added a gas-illuminated clock in the tower (as seen in the above photo).
Albert H. White purchased the hotel in 1886, renaming it White's Hotel.
1n 1914, George F. Stein bought the hotel and renamed it Steinhof.
In 1917, the Salvation Army acquired the property as a residence for the homeless and destitute.
The hotel burned on January 4, 1924, and the ruins were bought two years later by M. Cady Lacy and Charles Haak who reduced the size to two stories, added a section in the back and started selling auto parts. It is currently the location of Napa Auto Parts owned by Craig Lacy.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical date for this entry is January 4, 1924.

Location. 43° 13.313′ N, 78° 23.209′ W. Marker is in Medina, New York, in Orleans County. It can be reached from the intersection of North Main Street (New York State Route 63) and Mill Street (Manilla Place on Google), on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 345 Main Street, Medina NY 14103, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York,

specifically in Western New York,

in the Finger Lakes,

and in the Rochester Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Northeast,

on the Great Lakes,

and

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in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

New Netherland,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Grover Cleveland & Frances Folsom (here, next to this marker); On This Site Circa 1919 Alonzo L. Waters (within shouting distance of this marker); Medina (within shouting distance of this marker); Erie Canal (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Frederick Douglass (about 300 feet away); Medina Sandstone (about 300 feet away); Greater Medina Area (about 400 feet away); Medina Aqueduct (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Medina.

Another marker is no longer nearby. The Last Blacksmith Shop in Orleans County (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).

More about this marker. Marker is a poster mounted inside the front window of Napa Auto Parts

Also see . . . New owners for historic Medina building that was used for auto parts business for nearly a century.

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, April 21, 2017

2. White's Hotel Marker

2025 article by Ginny Kropf in orleansHUB.com. This article contains numerous historic photographs of the building. Excerpt:

Believed to be the oldest and one of the most historic buildings in Medina, the former home of Medina Parts/ NAPA is about to make new history under new owners.

Owned since 1925 by the Lacy family, Craig Lacy has sold the building at 345 Main St. to Matt Martin and Samantha Rae Hughes, life partners and real estate investors from Lockport. ... The new owners plan to capitalize on the building’s proximity to the canal.

(Submitted on November 4, 2025.)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 21, 2017, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,299 times since then and 85 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 21, 2017, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.