year on the game show, “The Price is Right.” Braddock Point Bed & Breakfast participates in the United States Lighthouse Society’s passport program. This nonprofit organization is dedicated to the preservation of lighthouses. Members can obtain lighthouse passports, similar to an official United States passport, so that stamps can be obtained when visiting lighthouses throughout the country. “Lighthouse enthusiasts seek us out,” said Town. “We have guests who have been to four or 500 lighthouses all over the world. We have bus tours throughout the summer, when 100 people get off the bus from all over the country.” The accommodations inside the Victorian keeper ’s house featured contemporary restoration decorated with antiques and a European dining room set with hand-carved figurines on each piece. The couple also found an upright piano originally used in the Hotel Syracuse. When the Towns researched its history, they learned the piano was used by Nandy Town’s aunt, who was a piano player in a jazz band in the 1930’s. “People all the time ask me, I didn’t know you could buy a lighthouse, I say — more importantly, I didn’t know that you couldn’t,” said Nandy Town. “I always tell our guests as they are leaving to go out to dinner, we’ll be sure to leave the light on for you.” The Towns are snowbirds. They own and operate Town Manor on the Lake Bed and Breakfast in Auburndale, Florida, where the main focus of the business is weddings. The couple has connections in Florida. They are originally from Oswego, but relocated to the “Sunshine State” where Donald produced live shows and events at Walt Disney World in Orlando for 20 years. Nandy and Donald went to a bed and breakfast apprentice school before purchasing their business in Florida. “We wanted a small summer cottage on Lake Ontario and found this old Victorian house, then we learned it was a lighthouse and right where we wanted to be,” said Town. “We looked at it, fell in love with it, and bought it. We found it on our wedding anniversary, so it was serendipity.” For more information, visit www. braddockpointlighthouse.com.
The Braddock Point Lighthouse survives and thrives with a new purpose as a bed and breakfast. It was built in 1896 and at the time was the tallest and brightest light on Lake Ontario until it was decommissioned in the 1950s.
The accommodations inside the Victorian keeper’s house feature contemporary restoration decorated with antiques. The lighthouse and inn draw people from across the nation and around the world. The 55-plus set is the primary democraphic for the unique inn on Lake Ontario. September / October 2013 - 55 PLUS
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