Columbus can boast of hotel accommodations that many cities twice its size might envy. The traveler on coming to a city always inquires first for a place to lodge, and we enumerate the hotels and boarding houses which our city possesses. All can be accommodated; from the most fastidious with unlimited means, to those whose competence is more limited. This is the only hotel in the city built of brick. It stands at the corner of Olive and 10th streets, fronting north, and presents a very imposing appearance. The house under its present name came into existence about six years ago, when it was rebuilt and enlarged, and not a year has passed since, but that it has been added to. It now contains fifty bed rooms, and all other necessary apartments, and this fall a hot air furnace will be added to it, an improvement possessed by no house on the line of the U.P. between Omaha and Cheyenne. The institution is well patronized and is valued at $20,000 by its proprietor. Geo. Lehman, its present owner and proprietor came to Platte county in 1866, and entered the hotel business, being for some time proprietor of the old American House. He afterwards served one term as sheriff of Platte county, was first lieutenant of the Pawnee scouts under Major Frank North, serving two years, farmed near Lost Creek for six years, and finally drifted to the place which we are glad to say he now occupies. The rates of this hotel are $2.00 and $2.50 per day, and a stay with the genial proprietor is sure to satisfy anyone of the general excellence of the house. Whoever had heard of Columbus, has heard of the Clother. It is under the management of Geo. W. Clother, who has an extensive acquaintance all over the state. Mr. Clother came to Nebraska in 1859, and in 1869 together with his father, C.D. Clother, established this popular house. The house has about sixty rooms, can accomodate about seventy-five guests, and enjoys a large patronage. The popular landlord attends personally to its management and always has a hearty greeting for his guests, many of whom have made his house their headquarters while in the city, for years. The large reading room back of the office has lately been converted into four nice bed rooms, and further improvements are contemplated. The rates are $2.00 a day. A stay beneath its roof will convince all of its hospitality. The Lindell Hotel, situated on 11th street, is under the management of Anson Bros., a firm composed of Frank and John Anson. The hotel is a large two story frame structure, with ample accomodation for over sixty guests. The proprietors inform us that last Independence day they fed over 300 people. This is a dollar a day house. Has been in existence for some years, and has always enjoyed a good patronage. It came into the hands of the present proprietors in January 1885, who have been quite successful in their handling of it. Business with them is good, as we are rejoiced to see, as it proves the fact of a good daily influx of people into our fair city. This house is located at the corner of Quincy and 13th streets and is a frame building that will accomodate from thirty to forty boarders. It enjoys a good patronage from the farmers, and is in the hands of a practical landlord, Mr. James O'Donnell, who took possession of it the first of last May. This house is situated in the northwest portion of the city near the third ward school house, and is a popular home for farmers. A. Luth, the proprietor, is a gentleman who looks after the comfort and welfare of his guests. This house is well known in the city, and enjoys a good patronage. It is conducted by W. Shepard, who seems to know what his boarders want. This house is situated on 11th street, is run by Wm. Graves, and has a number of boarders who are perfectly satisfied with their quarters. Published in The Columbus Democrat, March 1, 1889 The Lights Shown O'er Fair Women and Handsome Men--Music Mingled Merrily With Cheery Careless Conversation--The Building--Its Builders--Proprietor--Clerks Etc. The Thurston Hotel was built by the Columbus Improvement Company at a cost of $25,000. It was commenced August 1888, and completed February 1889. It is built of brick, three stories and basement, with South and west front, faced with St. Louis pressed brick, with stone trimmings. It is 68x78 feet, with sixteen-inch walls. The building contains fifty-five rooms, all of which are large and well lighted. The basement is occupied by the barber shop, a room 20x38, supplied with hot and cold water; a billiard hall, 23x40; laundry, 23x36, with hot boiler, capacity 120 gallons, steam drying coil, and six tubs, with hot and cold water; boiler room, 20x36, containing steam coiler, engine, gas machine, etc.; besides these, there is a vegetable room, bar-room and coal bins. The first floor, which is about six feet from the ground and is reached by stone steps, is divided into seven rooms--office 21x38; three sample rooms, 15x20; dining room, 23x40; kitchen, 23x38, supplied with improved range, and steam attachment of the latest pattern, capable of providing for two hundred guests; a cozy ladies' reception room is located at the end of the hall. The second and third floors are divided into sleeping rooms, all of which are carpeted with handsome Brussels carpet, and furnished in comfortable and modern style. The building is lighted by air gas, heated by steam, and hot and cold water on all the floors. All the sleeping rooms are connected with the office by a system of electric bells, with return call, and fire alarm attachment. The building is warmed by low pressure steam apparatus, consisting of 23,000 feet of direct radiators, supplied with steam from a thirty-five horse boiler. A system of sanitary plumbing, consisting of closets, baths, laboratories, etc., is also provided. The house is complete from "basement to attic," and with mine host Pollock at the head, who enjoys an extended acquaintance with the traveling public, there is no good reason why it should not become a success, and a standing evidence of the thrift and enterprise of the citziens of Columbus. Clicking on photo will open a new window - close it to return here The carpenter work was done under the supervision of the contractor, C.H. Davis, of this city; E.C. Williams of Omaha, did the brick work; G.H. Wood, of David City, plumbing and steam heating; Mason Bell plastering; J.C. Echols, painting; Sherman Knee, electrical appliances; Detroit Gas Co., gas machinery; Albu Schall, Omaha, cut stone; B. Grahl, Council Bluffs, cornice. If John M. Thurston, after whom Columbus' new hostelry was named, had chanced to step into that abode of comfort and elegance last Monday evening, he would have been both surprised and pleased at what he saw, and would have felt prouder than ever of being the godfather of the hotel. In early evening those invited to the opening began flocking to the parlors of the new hotel, until the parlors would no longer hold them, when they wandered to different rooms on the four floors of the house, which were all thrown open to the guests. Mine host John W. Pollock and wife received the guests as they arrived and took each one by the hand as they were presented. The guests were from far and near, and very numerous. Every arrangement for their comfort and entertainment had been made, and they wandered through the house admiring its spacious halls and rooms, elegant furniture and carpets and all its appointments. Everybody enjoyed themselves, and everybody was there, seemingly, who had not gone to the inaugural at Washington. Among the guests from abroad were Frank Gay of the Gay House, Fullerton and Frank Locke of the Pacific, Norfolk. W.B. Roth and wife of Omaha were the first guests of The Thurston. John W. Pollock, late of Beatrice, is the landlord. He is ably assisted by George H. Spear and J.A. McDaniel clerks, and under their watchful care the house is bound to be a success. Published in The Columbus Weekly Telegram, September 27, 1889 From Saturday's Daily. In 1866 when the Union Pacific railroad had reached the banks of the Loup river, incidents happened which the events of last night brought to the minds of the old settlers. George Francis Train erected on the corner of Olive and Twelfth streets a large hotel called the Credit Foncier. He predicted a great future for Columbus, and prophesied that within a few years great cities would spring up all along the line of the Union Pacific railroad, and that Columbus would one day be one of the greatest of them. This was 23 years ago. Time had been severe on the roof and walls of the old Credit Foncier, lately known as the Hammond house, and the old, historical building had become an eyesore to the citizens of Columbus. At different times for several years efforts have been made to purchase the lots occupied by the old building, but until last spring nothing was accomplished. Then R. Brandt and R.G. Fleming took the matter in hand, and secured the property for $6,000. They immeidately began the erection of a three story building, and in a miraculously short time one of the finest equipped hotels in the west had arisen on the Credit Foncier corner. It was named The Fleming for the junior member of the firm, R.G. Fleming, and standing as it does on one of the most prominent corners of the city, presenting a handsome appearance it is one of the improvements in which Columbus can feel a just pride. The building is 66x78 feet and three stories in height. It contains 46 bed chambers, office, kitchen, dining room, sample room, billiard room and other necessaries. A steam heating aparatus is being placed in it, and every room is brilliantly lighted with electricity. It was the house that hundreds of people of Columbus and adjoining towns gathered in last night on invitation of the proprietors. Every possible preparation had been made to entertain its guests, and every person present had a grand good time. The Columbus band opened the exercises with music, and after the guests had gathered within, the Columbus orchestra kept up the refrain. On behalf of the proprietors, D.F. Davis introduced Judge H.J. Hudson, one of the oldest settlers of the city, who spoke for half an hour in his usual happy vane. He referred to the past history of the city and the spot occupied by the hotel, and called up many pleasant reminiscenses of the past, comparing the lack of accommodations when he first came to this place with the splendid entertainment offered by the Fleming today. Judge Hudson was followed by Hon. G.G. Bowman in a few eloquent remarks, in which he paid a well deserved compliment to the enterprising proprietor who had erected the building in the face of so many difficulties. The ball then opened in the dining room where many enjoyed themselves for several hours in dancing, while others inspected the house and enjoyed a social chat with friends. An elegant banquet, made up of the choicest viands and served in style, was hugely enjoyed by the guests, and the "opening" of The Fleming was accomplished. It is a complete hotel, perfect in all its arrangements, and furnishes the best of entertainment to its guests. R. Brandt and R.G. Fleming, the proprietors, are bent on making it a success. Charles O. Wright, the chief clerk, and James Rutland, his assistant are efficient men in their line, while in the sample room J.W. Reynolds and J.M. Brown are equally at home and considerate to the wants of customers. (the above article is displayed as written, including all typing & spelling errors) |
