The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1912-04-12
PASSING OF OlD-7|ME
HOTEL, VALE CLIFTON
This Historic Hosiery Accom-.
modated Many Guests.
From Mondays Daily.

From Mondays Daily.
Easter Sunday marked the passing
of one of Mankato's best known
and oldest institutions. The last
Sunday dinner was served at the
Clifton house and during this week
the dining room will be closed. The
Clifton house has for almost fifty
years ben one of the most popular
hostelries in the city and in it's
early days was the leading hotel.
There is probably not farmer in
the county who came to Mankato
in the early days, but who has
known the hospitality of this hotel.
1t is centrally located and conven-
lent for people who had business in
town. 80" h.~
Long in Hotel Business.
Mr.. and Mrs. G.. J. Klein took pos.
session of the Clifton house thirty.
two years ago and continually since
that time have set splendid table
and have run clean and popular
house. 1t has been popular with
people throughout the county and
many travelling men have made it
their headquarters while in the
city. 1t is known all over. this Sec
ton of the state and the people
who spent time in Mankato years
ago never failed to be a guest at
the hotel 30.
During those palmy days when
fn1 hn
different offices, the Clifton house
was the headquarters for the poll
ticians. They gathered there from
all parts of the county. and many
political scheme was conceived and
planned beneath it's roof, to be
Matched out at the conventions which
followed.
Two years ago, at the time of Mr..
Klein's death, the hotel was left
entirely in charge of Mrs. Klein,
who has conducted it in the most
satisfactory manner since that time.
Many Guests Yesterday.
Over one hundred people were
served at dinner yesterday and many
of them expressed their deep re-.
greet at having the dining room.
closed. Among those who we're
there were many people who have
frequented the hotel for years and
being there yesterday brought back
many pleasant memories of the ear
lier days. s.
That part Of the building which
has been the office, dining room
and kitchen. has been leased to the
Mankato Electric company for a
period of three years, and its plant
will be moved there May 1. Before
that time a plate glass front and
hardwood floors will be installed,
Improving the appearance of the
building.
Mrs. Klein will have about twenty
rooms for rent on the second floor
and will have her office and living
rooms at the head of the main
stairway. All of the house is being
renovated and will be put in first
class condition.
a OId-Time Menu.
While making changes in the
building Mrs. Klein found an old
menu of the Clifton house which was
printed for Sunday, March 9, about
forty years ago. The list of edibles
occupies a sheet of paper about
eighteen inches long and six inches |
wide and contains everything that
could be served to the hungry pub. |
lie. There are twenty-one roasts !
alone on the menu and everything
else in comparative number.
The Clifton house was built some
time before 1870 by Jake Ginther, and
was managed by him for several
years. NJ. T. C.. Flower, the father
of Mark Flower, who was after.
ward adjutant general of Minnesota,
conducted the hotel for several years
after Mr. Einthor ro1ipuuicbod