This photograph by Paul B. Gaylord and Edward A. Thompson shows the Clark House, Duluth's second hotel, which opened in July of 1870 on the 100 block of West Superior Street; it was destroyed by fire on November 16, 1881.
This postcard shows a view of the Commercial Hotel in St. Peter that was located on the northeast corner of the intersection of Minnesota Avenue and Park Row. The image is a reproduction that was made from an earlier photograph.
Exterior view of the Northwestern Hotel in St. Peter that was located on the southwest corner of the intersection of Front street and Park Row. In November of 1887, a fire in the hotel's stable destroyed the hotel and many other buildings.
Exterior view of the Northwestern Hotel in St. Peter that was located on the southwest corner of the intersection of Front Street and Park Row. In November of 1887, a fire in the hotel's stable destroyed the hotel and many other buildings. This postcard is a reproduction made from an earlier photograph.
Set of architectural drawings shows both exterior and interior features of the Nicollet Hotel in St. Peter. The hotel opened in 1873 as the Nicollet House, and was one of the finest hotels in southern Minnesota. Edward P. Bassford was the hotel's architect. The building ceased to be used as a hotel in 1974. Saved from impending demolition following the 1998 tornado in St. Peter, the building survived to become an apartment building, as well as the home of various businesses.
This photograph shows the Nicollet Hotel in St. Peter, which was located on the northwest corner of the intersection of South Minnesota Avenue and Park Row.
This photograph by Paul B. Gaylord shows the Merchant's Hotel, 202-204 West Superior Street in Duluth after a fire on February 28, 1884. The hotel was designed by architect George Wirth and built in 1882.
West Hotel dinner menu featuring blue point oysters, mock turtle a la Francaise, filet of beef a la Chartreuse, and soft shell crabs a la Creole. The West Hotel, designed by prominent architect LeRoy Buffington, occupied the corner of Fifth Street and Nicollet Avenue from 1884-1940. The Queen Anne-style building sported a Moorish-inspired dining room and boated the nation's largest hotel lobby.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Exterior view of the Pioneer Hotel building. A group of men and women stand in front of the building along with two horse-drawn wagons. The Pioneer Hotel was built by Robert Whiteside in 1887.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
This is a view looking northeast to downtown Duluth. Superior Street is visible at the right. The large, dark building in the center of the shot is the Spalding Hotel. The building across from the Spalding with the scaffolding is the Lyceum Theater under construction. The Spalding opened in June of 1889. The 1,500 seat Lyceum opened in August of 1891. They are across Superior Street from each other at Fifth Avenue West. The hotel came down in 1963, the theater in 1966.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
Independence Day menu from the Hotel Lafayette, 1893. Items on the menu include Russian caviar on toast, saddle of spring lamb in mint sauce, breast of woodcock, and broiled golden plover on toast. Railroad tycoon James J. Hill's Hotel Lafayette sat on the edge of Lake Minnetonka between Crystal and Holmes Bays from 1882 until it was destroyed by fire in 1897. The posh hotel boasted 300 rooms and five acres of floor space and was a favorite summer destination of wealthy Southerners, visitors from Europe, and even sitting president Chester Arthur. Guests were delivered almost to the front door of the hotel via Hill's railroad.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The Hotel Nicollet's dinner menu and wine list from August 1, 1897 includes delicacies such as lobster a la Newburg, salmon cutlets, and boiled leg of southdown mutton. Guiness, Pabst Blue Ribbon, and Anheuser Busch are among the familiar names that appear under the ""ales and porters"" heading. The hotel occupied the south side of Washington Avenue between Hennepin and Nicollet Avenues between 1858 and 1923. For decades it was considered the city's most prominent hotel and housed such notables as James Garfield, Teddy Roosevelt, and Oscar Wilde. It quickly established a reputation as the premier spot for fine dining and lavish banquets were often hosted in its large dining room.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The Buena Vista Hotel sits on a hill above its dock and boathouse which advertises boats, bait and tackle, in the neighborhood called the Highlands, postmarked 1901.
Charming boathouse in the foreground of this photo of the Hotel St. Louis in the distance, on a hill overlooking Lake Minnetonka, postmarked and dated 1905.
The Glooskap Inn has a steep roof, appearing to draw to a point at the top of the third story, with a balcony at each window. This card is postmarked Deephaven, 1909.
Hillcrest Hotel on Lake Minnetonka, probably a private residence, was three stories tall with a stone foundation, and a screened porch on the first floor. Signatures on the back are dated 1908.
This view from the lake of the Hotel Bartlett shows that it sits on a hill overlooking its dock and tiny boathouse. Boats for rent line the shore, postmarked 1910.
Hotel La Paul advertises: We eat here, rates $2.00 per day. This hotel was on Lake Street in Excelsior, north of the White House. The writer comments that this is a most beautiful resort for all the middle west, cool and delightful weather, dated and postmarked 1906.
Front view shows porch along the entire first floor of this four-story building, with young trees on the front lawn, Henry Schomberg, Proprietor, postmarked 1906.
Front view shows porch along the entire first floor of this four-story building, with young trees on the front lawn, hand-drawn flag flies from the peak of the middle dormer. Message dated 1907, but postmarked 1908, invites the recipient to come to the Lake to do the sender's sewing.
The interior view of this lovely porch, The Lattice Room, shows the white furniture and flowering vines, color added. Printed message states that this Inn, 17 miles west of Minneapolis, is owned and operated by Hotel Radisson Company, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Music Director Albert Franko Demkier's music program for the Hotel Del Otero lists musical selections and composers: Summertime by H. Von Tilzer, How would you like to try a honeymoon with me? by O. Wade, Dear old East side, by Gus. Edwards, Merry-go round by Gus. Edwards, Bye-Bye, Dear Old Broadway by Gus. Edwards, Pandora by Victor Maurice, Love-Land by Holzman, Over the hills and far away by Schwartz for luncheon from 12:30 to 1, and The Chorus Lady by Kingsbury, Ev'rybody loves me, but the one I love by G. Edwards, Hermosillo by Schuh, Up in my balloon by Wenrich, Lady! Lady! by Leighton, The Grand Mogul by Luders, See Saw by Gus. Edwards, Consolation by Line and Sympathy by Kendis for dinner 6:30 to 8; card writer from Louisiana talks about wearing coats all the time because it is so cool, postmarked August 12, 1910.
Ladies relaxing on the lawn and the steps of the pergola, viewed from vine-covered walkway, at the Hotel Del Otero on Lake Minnetonka, color added, postmarked 1909. The printed message reads: Minnetonka is a Sioux word for "big waters;" here was the scene of Hiawatha's wooing, and out of the lake flows the stream on which is located the beautiful falls of Minnehaha--"laughing water"--made famous by Longfellow.
Reception parlor, filled with rocking chairs in rattan and wood and rugs with Native American designs, welcomes Hotel Del Otero guests for their stay at Lake Minnetonka, color added. The message says it was too cool to swim in the evening, postmarked July 2, 1913.
View of Hotel Del Otero from Lake Minnetonka shows the bathhouse and casino on the shoreline with boats pulled up on the beach, G.F. Hopkins and Company, Proprietors, postmarked 1906.
Exterior view of Peter Fay's City Hotel in St. Peter, which was located on the northwest corner of the intersection of Front Street and Park Row, facing Front. At right can be seen Mamie Fay, Catherine Fay, Peter Fay, Junior, and Peter Fay, Senior. Note the two Engesser Brewery signs advertising its Lager Beer.
J.H. Woolnough was the proprietor of the Maple Heights Inn, North Shore Park, Island Park, on Lake Minnetonka; the three story structure sits on a hill overlooking the lake, with steps down to the shore and a boathouse, dated 1905.
This long three-story wooden building in its shaded setting provides a porch along its entire first floor, and a tower that climbs to four stories giving additional views of Lake Minnetonka. This postcard was printed as an advertisement. The message announces that fancy balls, dancing parties, musicales and concerts, banquets, conventions, yacht races, and rowing regattas are of frequent occurrence at Tonka Bay, and it is only two miles from Big Island with its 65-acre park .
This postcard shows the Konsbruck Hotel in St. Peter, which was located on the west side of the 400 block of South Third street. The northern portion of the hotel complex includes the Tegner and Peterson grocery store and the St. Peter Produce Company.
This postcard shows the Konsbruck Hotel in St. Peter, which was located on the west side of the 400 block of South Third street. The northern portion of the hotel complex includes the Tegner and Peterson grocery store and the St. Peter Produce Company.
This postcard shows the Konsbruck Hotel in St. Peter, which was located on the west side of the 400 block of South Third street. The northern portion of the hotel complex includes the Tegner and Peterson grocery store and the St. Peter Produce Company.
Exterior view of the Nicollet Hotel in St. Peter. It was located on the northwest corner of the intersection of Minnesota Avenue and Park Row, facing Minnesota Avenue.
This generic picture of people walking on gravel path along the edge of a lake (color added) includes an inset photo (black and white) entitled Lake View Hotel. This building is actually the Ice Yacht Clubhouse located just east of the Minnetonka Yacht Club. The emblem of the Bureau of Engraving, Minneapolis, is printed on the back of this card.
This postcard shows a view of the Nicollet Hotel in St. Peter, which was located on the northwest corner of the intersection of Minnesota Avenue and Park Row, facing the avenue.
Woolnough's Maple Heights Inn and cottages sits on a bluff overlooking Lake Minnetonka, with a long staircase leading from a gazebo to the shore, post office address: Woolnough, Minnesota.
Visitors stand in front of the first floor screened porch of the Hotel Edgewood, postmarked 1920. Edgewood was in Shorewood, on the south side of Upper Lake facing Spring Park.
The Pleasure Park at the Hotel Del Otero includes tennis court and croquet lawn, as well as swings and benches, color added, postmarked 1910. The printed message reads: Minnetonka is a Sioux word for "big waters;" here was the scene of Hiawatha's wooing, and out of the lake flows the stream on which is located the beautiful falls of Minnehaha--"laughing water"--made famous by Longfellow.
Sleeping room at the Hotel Del Otero includes two beds, a dressing table and stool, two chairs, a patterned rug covering all but the edges of the wooden floor, and two large windows.
This photo, with color added, depicts visitors in the doorway of the Glen Morris Inn, viewing Lake Minnetonka and the sailboat at the dock. Message mentions the "artistic places," the warm swimming in the lake, and crackling fires, postmarked 1915.
The Radisson Inn had screened porches on the first floor, and open balconies on the second floor. Originally the Glenn Morris Estate, it was remodeled by the owner of the downtown Radisson Hotel in the 1920s. Located on Highway 7 and Christmas Lake, it burned in the 1930s.
The wooden three-story Sampson House on a street corner in Excelsior advertises offerings at its caf??, including fried chicken and fish dinners, crappie dinners, fried chicken sandwiches and homemade ice cream for 15 cents.
Several cottages, identical in design with a screened front porch and a name above the door, one called "Vista del Laco" and one called "El Casa," on a path bordered by flowering bushes.
The Konsbruck Hotel at 412 South Third Street and the Tegner and Peterson Grocery Store at 408 South Third Street are among the St. Peter businesses that can be seen in this image. A car is parked in front of the hotel. The siren at the Fire Station can be seen north of the hotel, at the far right of the image.
The aerial view shows the three-story hotel with its four-story octagonal tower and many porches, its water tower and wooded grounds, and the railroad tracks behind the hotel.
The Hotel Del Otero's entrance has a wooden sign overhead, in addition to a sign on each side, one advertising special dinners and dancing, A.F. King, Proprietor, and the flag is flying from the tour seen through the trees.