The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1884-11-20
HOTEL COOLIDGE.

SAC oSobCs NY oAO CSPOOAoAAl PiCoSC0
with Emporia.
HOTEL COOLIDGE.
Brief History of las FOundIng-Recent
Additions and IMPROVEMENTS Fa-
cIlities.
EmpOrla has never been addicted to
periods of spasmodic growth succeeded
by letharglc spells to the extent that has
characterized many new western cities.
She has had ups and downs such as no
city founded in this state twenty-five
years ago could have avoided, but since
the place has assumed an important po-
sition among the cities of Kansas, the
growth has been wonderfully rapid and
more than ordinarily substantial. 1t
has also been a symmetrical prosperity.
The number and quality of residences
has kept pace with the improvement in
business blocks, and public buildings
and public improvements of all kinds
streets, railroads, street cars, water
works, churches, schools, hotels-hsve
been put on their feet by active business
men with ready money as fast as the
exigencies of the times demanded.
One of the improvements a stranger
coming into the city will first notice and
most appreciate, and which a citizen
will point to with greatest pride, is the
Hotel Coolidge, on the northwest cor
ner of Sixth avenue and Merchants
street, which, since its building, has
been the leading hotel In the CITY, but
which as it is now is the first hotel OF Kan
sas. For several years prior to Its con-
struction, fruitless attempts had been
made to raise money for such a project.
In the spring of 1880 the matter took
definite shape, mainly through the &C
tive efforts of Col. Fl. G. Whitley. The
need was great and apparent and the
business men took hold of the enter
prise readily. A large subscription was
soon reported and the success of the IN
dertaking assured. An incorporated no.
tel company was organized in May, 1880.
The organization OF the company was
effected with H. c. Whitley, Van K
Holmes, E. r. Holderman, L. Severy
and W. T. Soden as directors. and 81. G.
Whitley, president; A. NJ. Sommers, Sec
rotary; r. D. Thomas, treasurer. Out
of this same company also afterward
grew the Whitley opera house. The
original subscribers to the hotel fund
were oyer thirty of the leading bankers
merchants and professional men of the
city. Their efforts were rewarded and
their end accomplished. They furnished
the city with hotel worthy of it, and
with a capacity more nearly commensu
rate with the actual necessity for hand
ling the increased and rapidly Increas
ing business IN that line. The hote
as rentable property did not pay
good dividends on the money actually
, invested, but it has long ere this amply
] enhanced the value of ali other proper
ties in the city, and has been a grea
convenience.
: The Coolidge was completed in tn
i. spring of 1881. Z. K. Criley s. Co
. were the first lesees. They continues
to manage it until last spring when Col
n Whitley. having bought the stock of tn
o other members of the company, pun
q chased their lease, assumed the manage
ment. and prepared to build the larg
addition which has just been opened fo
guests.
That the hotel is now the largest an
s best in the state can be substantiated b
. q comparative statement of capacitie
q enumeration of advantages, and meal
q urement of surfaces. It is 125x130 fee
u and three full stories high, all substaI
p TALLY constructed of stone and brick.
The monOtony OF the regular brio
d fronts Is broken by stone-capped viii
g dows and doors and by veranda e.
Of tending around the east ard south side
in giving the place q CHEEKY home like al
or Between the wings of the building e,
e. tending westward is large open plaz
ne which gives ample light TO all the inn,
,e rooms of every story In the sprir
n. this will be converted into a flower ga
den, making the outlook from the room
adioi ming as pleasant as from any in Il
be hotel.
lie The rotUnda, which embraces the {
Mt fee and the guests sitting room
rs one of the most spacious in the we:
sr- 1t is in the southeast corner of Il
TO- ground floor. Into it are the m ain e
in frances. In direct communication wi
he it to the west, is the dining roc
Ip- we'll lighted, elegantly furnish'
in and capable of accommodating near
OF one hundred guests at one sitting,
,sr A hall extending north from the
tunda gives direct communication TO t
wash room, bath rooms, barber she
oIllIard hall which is IN the northel
Oh corner, and to ten large sample roor
Sic conveniently equipped with sdjustal
no display tables.
lp- The second ana third floors 1
nd reached by q main stairway direct FRI
IN the Office. They haYe each large mt
tn hall extending entirely around the bui
it'll ing. In the southeast corner of the s
the ond floor are the guests parlors, lal
up and elegantly furnished and prOvId
led with q good piano In the northe
ter corner IN the new part is suite of
ket rooms occupied by Col. Whitley and
Jul ldlnllY. tuCSc
m north, south and east views. They
10 furnished in q paletial manner.
tue furniture is elegantly upholstered;
carpets are French moquetie and the C
tains genuine lace. Among the ms
elegant works of art are the large 7
}. steel engraviags "L'Enfant Prodigy
Md and "L'Atelier de Raphael SanZio."
ich All the guests rooms in the new P
les have been newly furnished, as have N
yin of the others. Over 1000 yards of {
AXE pet. purchased of G. w. Newman 81
ten have been put down, 700 wards be
q . necessary for the second ami third d
let halls alone. The house is lighted y
$50 gas jets. The drainage of the no
md put IN by private enterprise, is peri
in Under the southwest part is 8 cellar
les the storage OF vegetables The b
by has large refrigerator.
good, well managed laundry Is
eet- tached. In the northwest corner i
in large boiler room il which machin
lev. 70 heat the entire building by steam '
aye be placed next season.
The kitchen is provided with We