The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1873-02-27
KENosHA-ITs HOTEL HISTORY.


lGFrom the National Hotel Reporter, Chicago
'IS6 hA ~ KENosHA, Wis, Feb. 49, 1878.
Most Of our Western towns have hotel
history, almost distinct from that of the
town itself, and yet wonderfully modified
and-mouded by the rise or fall Of the town
Many Western towns have been founded by
the building OF an immense hotel, and then
bulltaup, as itsawere, to accom- moda,e the
hotel, while others have been founded and
have grown to considerable Importance and
the hotei finally bull. to accommodate the
town These fatter towns have as a general
rule. proved to be the cities Of the west
The town of Southport, now the city Of
Kenosha, was not hotel town, that is the
town was bull belofe its hotels, and yet its
motel history is one of no ordinary interest,
and Importance even. We need not go back
to the primitive taverns that graced the en-
bryo town on the lake shore, SIS miles north
OF Chicago, Enough of those it had its full
quota. t3 a a.r uaa
The first hotel was log structure called
the City Hotel, built by q worthy citizen
named Mccoy, and who was for several years
its geniai landlord. Subse quentIy the log
tavern was torn down and frame structure
of considerable pretentions erected on It's
site, on Main street, near Market, and by
the way, we should not omit to mer tion that
the old City Hotel is still preserved as
thing of the past in town of Somers, with
or 1T was removed. The next landlord of the
City Hotel was a Mr.. Whitney, very ge-
nial and popular old gentleman, who 8ubse
quenCly removed to MinnesotaM Afterwards
the City Hotel passed into the hands of VIII
liam SUrong, under- whose management it
became very popular hostility, ana tsacheG
its climax or success, yielding large iHeome
10 its proprietor Mr.. Strong was succeeded
by Captain Resin Bell about the year 1853,
and remainedit landlord until 1t was burned
down early in the spring of 1860.
The second hotel was the American House,
frame structure, on the corner OF arket
and Exchange streets, erected by Mr.. Board
man, who continued to run 1T principally in
the interest OF the farmers Tor some years.
The old Americ an is sGill standing, and isl
kept by Mr.. Voltz, who purchased it OF the
Boardmans several years-ago .rfr' ~ue.
The Wisconsin House was another frame
rstruciure erectedaat early day, on the north
side of the river. 1t never did large busl
ness, and swas turned into grist mill, finally,
which was burned down q few years since,
we have noticed these early puolic iuns,
bat the real hotel history of the place did not
commence until the year 1916. 81 that time, !
Southport had grown 10 town of nearly
q, 800 inhabitants. and Mas doing large bus
mess, shipping large quantities Of grain by
lake, the lake trade fu. nishlng business for
three large warehouses, or elevators, and
three bridge piers. The want of tirs:-cass
hotel was seriously felt 10y all and by gener-
al consent, it was understood that lie man
who would step Forward and 'butld such a
hotel would be- considered as n public bene-i
factor, and deserve some honorable recogni.
tion from his fellow-citizens.
Charles Durlee. Esq, st that time (l846),
Z rising politician, and subsequently Repre-
sentative aud Senator in Congress, and Cove
nor Of Utah took the matter in hand and COM
menced the erection of the DuTkee House.
1t was to be a large four story brick etruc>
ture, ITO feet front on Main street, 100 feet
front on Pearl street, the Main street front
being so feet in depth. Concrete was used
for the foundation walls, bat that proved
very pooreeonomy, for, when The brick walls
had reached tho third floor, the foundations
gave way and they tumbled down. Undls-
CO uraged by this misfortune, Mr. Durkee
4 10 nj.
the debris, and the new hotel was commenced
again. This time the foundations were brick,
and the work progressed until it was com
p leted, and il l847, it was ready for the fur
nituIe. a joint stock association was formed
by the citizens of the town, aud something
over $40, 900 raised TO furnish the house, and
finally in the fall of that year, QS4T, theI
Dukee House was opened by David McKin-
ncy, "a a flrst-class hotel in all respects. For
two years the house proved great success,
and was very popular with the travelling
public.
DEarly in I849 ;Eii 10. Runals commenced
the erection of another hotel on the corner OF
Main and Wisconsin streets, some three
blocks south ofthe Durkee House, With o.
zeal and energy for which he was noted, Mr..
Rnpals hurried the work along, and in the
fall Of that year nc opened the Runals House,
which at once &C mmenceda prosperous ca
Ieer @@3 G#~ @at
The Runals House was built of Milwaukee
brick, A feet front on Main street, by SO feet
front on Wisconsin street, three stories high,
with two story frame wing running 6Sfect
back on the alley by 50 feet front ON Wiscon-
sin. The house was elegantly furnished and
finished in Qor those dsys) Gne style. Under