About 1890 Bertram I. Ostrander of Syracuse rented of Philetus Reynolds a tract of land on the Pond shore with the privilege of buying it later. Here he put up a small shack which was the first cottage ever to be built anywhere on the Pond. Mr. Ostrander and his friend Bert Chapman who was with him there for a number of years, entertained their friends at the shack. These friends brought other friends and soon additions had to be built. It was in this way that the Wigwam grew into a hotel, which was open from April to the close of the duck hunting season in November. There was never any change, except that it grew larger. His wife was termed “the best cook ever” by the patrons of the Wigwam and Mr. Ostrander was known to Fishermen and duck hunters throughout Central and Northern New York for his generous hospitality.

After Mr. Ostrander’s death in 1925, Leslie B. Price bought the Wigwam from the Ostrander estate. Mr. and Mrs. Price maintained the reputation of the Wigwam and built up its summer business. During their occupancy and that of Mr. and Mrs. Paul R. Hadley who followed as proprietors, the dining room was well known, many successful Sandy Creek High School banquets being held there. Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Buckland took over the operation of the hotel after Mr. Hadley signed up with the American Red Cross for services in North Africa. In September 1945 C. H. Snitchler and his brother, M. V. Snitchler of Binghamton bought the Wigwam which was later operated by C. H. Snitchler and C. A. Hatt.