Hotel Columbia

Last updated
Hotel Columbia
Hotel Columbia Vassar.jpg
USA Michigan location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Usa edcp location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Hotel Columbia
Interactive map showing the location for Hotel Columbia
Location194 E. Huron Ave., Vassar, Michigan
Coordinates 43°22′16″N83°34′55″W / 43.37111°N 83.58194°W / 43.37111; -83.58194 Coordinates: 43°22′16″N83°34′55″W / 43.37111°N 83.58194°W / 43.37111; -83.58194
Arealess than one acre
Built1892 (1892)
Architectural style Romanesque
NRHP reference No. 91001998 [1]
Added to NRHPJanuary 22, 1992

The Hotel Columbia is a former hotel building located at 194 East Huron Avenue in Vassar, Michigan. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. [1] The building now houses a restaurant, the Riverside Grill. [2]

Contents

History

Vassar was founded in 1849 by Townsend North and James Edmunds. It grew steadily, primarily due to the logging business, and was incorporated as a village in 1871. However, the depletion of the timberlands in the area and the 1881 Thumb Fire signalled the end of lumbering in Vassar. The area shifted to agricultural production, particularly of sugar beets. By 1900, sugar beet production was an important component of the local economy. [3]

During this era or transition, prominent Vassar businessman J.P. Blackmore constructed this hotel. Blackmore was born in County Tippery, Ireland, and came to Michigan in 1871 to work on the construction of heavy timber bridges for new railroad lines being built at the time. By 1874, J.P and his brother Simon had moved to Vassar and set out on various business ventures, including opening a saloon and billiards hall in 1875 and later purchasing the Central House, one of Vassar's earliest inns. In 1883, Blackmore purchased the Jewell House in Vassar, then expanded the hotel and sold it in 1888 to concentrate on farming. However, in 1892, Blackmore built this hotel, the Hotel Columbia in Vassar. [3]

Blackmore owned and operated the Hotel Columbia until 1902, when he sold the business to his brother Simon. Simon Blackmore sold the business to John H. Schultz in 1909. The hotel and its restaurant passed through a number of owners between 1913 and 1932 and became the "Vassar Hotel" in 1929. [3]

It operated as a hotel until 1986, when a severe flood damaged the building and forced it to close. [3] Demolition of the building was planned, but the formation of the Cork Pine Preservation Association (now the Vassar Historical Society) prevented demolition. [4] The group renovated the hotel, and a restaurant, "Betty Lou's," opened inside in 1996. Betty Lou's closed in the 2010s. [5] The building was vacant for several years until 2016, when a new restaurant, the Riverside Grill, opened. [2]

Description

The Hotel Columbia is a two-story L-shaped brownish-red brick commercial building with a flat roof and concrete foundation. A single story mass is at the rear of the building, in the angle of the L; two small additions are appended onto this mass. The building is located on a corner lot, with two main facades, but giving primacy to the longer facade along Huron. Both facades have flat arch one-over-one windows with continuous rock-face sandstone sills. On the corner is a small round "turret" on the second floor, supported by two plain stone columns. Atop the turret is a sandstone block bearing the inscription "J. P. Blackmore." Below the turret is an entrance which originally led to the lobby. The entrance door is surrounded by sidelights and a transom. Both facades are partitioned by pilasters into bays. [3]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tuscola County, Michigan</span> County in Michigan, United States

Tuscola County is a county in the Thumb region of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the population was 53,323. The county seat is Caro. The county was created by Michigan Law on April 1, 1840, from land in Sanilac County and attached to Saginaw County for administrative purposes. The Michigan Legislature passed an act on March 2, 1850, that empowered the county residents to organize governmental functions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hotel Macdonald</span> Building in Alberta, Canada

The Fairmont Hotel Macdonald, formerly and commonly known as the Hotel Macdonald, is a large historic luxury hotel in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Located along 100 Street NW, south of Jasper Avenue, the hotel is situated in the eastern end of downtown Edmonton, and overlooks the North Saskatchewan River. The 47.7-metre-high (156 ft) hotel building was designed by Ross and MacFarlene and contains eleven floors. The hotel is named for the first prime minister of Canada, Sir John A. Macdonald.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Davenport Hotel (Spokane, Washington)</span> Building in Washington, U.S.

The Davenport Hotel is a hotel located in Spokane, Washington. Originally a successful high-end restaurant, it is one of the possible places where the first Crab Louis was created and served. The hotel was designed by architect Kirtland Cutter and built in 1914 for $2 million with an opulent lobby and new amenities for the time such as air conditioning, a central vacuum system, pipe organ, and dividing doors in the ballrooms. Commissioned by a group of Spokane businessmen to have a place to host and entertain their guests, the hotel is named after Louis Davenport, an influential businessman and the first proprietor and overseer of the project.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">King Edward Hotel (Jackson, Mississippi)</span> United States historic place

The King Edward Hotel, built in 1923 as the Edwards Hotel, is an historic hotel in downtown Jackson, Mississippi. The second of two buildings located on the site at the corner of Capitol and Mill Streets, it was closed and vacant for nearly 40 years before renovations began in 2006. The hotel was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976, and declared a Mississippi Landmark in 1990. It was restored from 2007-2009 as a combination of apartments and the Hilton Garden Inn Jackson Downtown, which opened on December 17, 2009. It features the King Edward Grill, King Edward Bar, Pavilion Pantry convenience mart, a fitness center and formerly a Seattle's Best Coffee shop.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Depot Town</span> Commercial area of Ypsilanti

Depot Town is a commercial area, with some residences above storefronts, in Ypsilanti, Michigan's historic district. Depot Town proper consists of East Cross Street from the Huron River to North River Street, and a small area on the 300-block of North River Street. However, several blocks in the surrounding area are also commonly referred to as part of Depot Town. These areas include Riverside Park, Frog Island Park, and River Street extending north and south for several blocks. First established in the late 1830s, most of the buildings standing today were constructed between 1850 and 1880. Over the years, Depot Town has included hotels, an Underground Railroad station, an American Civil War barracks, and a building that has housed a bar and restaurant continuously for more than 150 years, switching to soft drinks during Prohibition. Today the area is dominated by restaurants and stores. Depot Town also hosts several large summer festivals each year, as well as weekly bike nights and cruise nights.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ladd Carriage House</span> Historic building in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

The Ladd Carriage House is a building in downtown Portland, Oregon, at Broadway and Columbia. It is one of the few surviving buildings forming part of the former grand estates which once stood in the downtown core. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monroe Avenue Commercial Buildings</span> Historic commercial buildings in Michigan, United States

The Monroe Avenue Commercial Buildings, also known as the Monroe Block, is a historic district located along a block-and-a-half stretch at 16-118 Monroe Avenue in Detroit, Michigan, just off Woodward Avenue at the northern end of Campus Martius. The district was designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1974 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. The thirteen original buildings were built between 1852 and 1911 and ranged from two to five stories in height. The National Theatre, built in 1911, is the oldest surviving theatre in Detroit, a part of the city's original theatre district of the late 19th century, and the sole surviving structure from the original Monroe Avenue Commercial Buildings historic period.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Old Ebbitt Grill</span> Historic bar and restaurant in Washington, D.C.

Old Ebbitt Grill is a historic bar and restaurant located at 675 15th Street NW in Washington, D.C., in the United States. It is Washington's oldest bar and restaurant, and is owned by Clyde's Restaurant Group. It first opened as an unnamed restaurant in the Ebbitt House Hotel. The Hotel distinguished itself as the first hotel in Washington to remain open all summer instead of closing when Congress adjourned. In 1827, the Hotel was razed and rebuilt in the same location. Ebbitt House Hotel was razed in 1925 to make way for the National Press Building, built in 1926. The restaurant was incorporated by Anders Lofstrand, Sr., as a stand-alone business. It moved into new quarters at 1427 F Street NW. After Lofstrand's death in 1955, the restaurant was purchased by Peter Bechas in 1961. The restaurant was sold at a tax sale in June 1970, and was purchased by Clyde's Restaurant Group. The 1427 F Street NW location was demolished in 1983 during redevelopment, and Old Ebbitt Grill moved into its current quarters at 675 15th Street NW.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manistee Central Business District</span> Historic district in Michigan, United States

The Manistee Central Business District is a commercial historic district roughly bounded by Maple, Washington, Water and River Streets in Manistee, Michigan. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">S. Walker's Hotel</span> United States historic place

S. Walker's Hotel, also known as the Brick Walker Tavern, is a former hotel/tavern located at 11705 US-12 in Cambridge Township, Michigan. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. The hotel is notable for its brick exterior and three-story height - most other surviving early brick tavern/hotel buildings in Michigan are two-story frame structures. The building is currently operated as an event space known as the "Brick Walker Tavern."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Idanha Hotel</span> United States historic place

The Idanha Hotel is a historic building in downtown Boise on the corner of 10th and Main Street, built in Boise, Idaho in 1901. The Idanha Building opened and functioned as a hotel until it was transformed into an apartment building in the 1970s. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harrington Hotel</span> United States historic place

The Harrington Hotel, also known as the Harrington Inn, is a hotel located at 1026 Military Street in Port Huron, Michigan. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Huron City Historic District</span> United States historic place

The Huron City Historic District is a historic district encompassing the village of Huron City, Michigan, with structures located primarily along Pioneer Drive. The district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Townsend North House</span> United States historic place

The Townsend North House is a private house located at 325 North Main Street in Vassar, Michigan. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tuscola County Courthouse</span> United States historic place

The Tuscola County Courthouse is a government building located at 440 North State Street in Caro, Michigan. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ionia Downtown Commercial Historic District</span> United States historic place

The 'Ionia Downtown Commercial Historic District is a primarily commercial district located roughly along West Main and Washington Streets, from Dexter Street to Library Street, in Ionia, Michigan. The district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">107-109 George Street, The Rocks</span> Heritage-listed retail building in The Rocks, Sydney, Australia

107–109 George Street, The Rocks is a heritage-listed restaurant and former retail building, residence and bakery located at 107–109 George Street, in the inner city suburb of The Rocks in the City of Sydney local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was built during 1860. It is also known as Rockpool Restaurant (former); and William Blue Dining. The property is owned by Property NSW, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 10 May 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Metropolitan Hotel, Sydney</span> Heritage-listed hotel in Sydney, Australia

Metropolitan Hotel is a heritage-listed hotel at 244 George Street, Sydney, Australia. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colonnade Hotel (Seattle)</span> United States historic place

The Colonnade Hotel first known as the Stimson Block then later the Standard Hotel, Gateway Hotel and Gatewood Hotel is a historic hotel building in Seattle, Washington located at the Southeast corner of 1st Avenue and Pine Streets in the city's central business district. One of the earliest extant solo projects of architect Charles Bebb, it was built in 1900 by Charles and Fred Stimson, owners of the Stimson lumber mill at Ballard, for use as a hotel. It served that purpose under its various names until the early 1980s and after a brief vacancy was restored into low-income housing by the Plymouth Housing Group. Once owned by the Samis Foundation, it was sold to various LLC owners who would convert it back into a hotel in 2017, currently operating under the name Palihotel. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 7, 2007 and became a City of Seattle Landmark in 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carpenter Building (Sioux Falls, South Dakota)</span> United States historic place

The Carpenter Building, historically the Carpenter Hotel or Hotel Carpenter and known colloquially as The Carpenter, is a historic building at 221 South Phillips Avenue in downtown Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Originally serving as a hotel from 1912 to 1966, it is now used for retail and apartment space. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.

References

  1. 1 2 "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. 1 2 Tom Gilchrist (August 31, 2016). "Cooking with business: Riverside Grill is newest Vassar eatery". TuscolaToday.com.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Eric Macdonald (August 1991), National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Hotel Columbia
  4. Chad Audinet (2010), Vassar: The Cork Pine City, Arcadia Publishing, p. 8, ISBN   9780738578248
  5. Tom Gilchrist (July 13, 2016). "For its next course, Vassar gets the Riverside Grill". TuscolaToday.com.