G.W. Babcock, the proprietor of the Ludlow Hotel, decided to retire on April 1, 1886 when his lease expired planning to go into the hotel business in Chicago again. C. E. Keyes, proprietor of the Beebe House in Elyria, Ohio, signed a five-year lease starting on April 1. Keyes wanted “to become acquainted with the people of this vicinity who may make ‘The Ludlow’ a stopping place while in Monroe.” Keyes announced on April 14 that “a limited number of baths will be furnished to those who wish such a convenience, at 25 cents each.” Keyes continued making improvements. He brought his Ohio cook the following month to take charge of the culinary department. “His reputation is first-class - and was that of being the ‘soonest’ short-order cook in Ohio.”

Even though the hotel had not been open for two years yet, L. S. Wagner was hired to “paper and decorate the walls and ceilings of the Ludlow House from garret to basement, throughout, in elegant style and with the best materials” in March 1887.

An article that is not politically correct today was printed in April 13, 1887. “A regular bonafide Chinaman made his appearance on our streets last Sunday, the first, we believe, who ever used chop-sticks at a Monroe hotel. He put up at the Ludlow, of course, having read the advertisement of the house while in Chinaland, far away. We understand that Ah-Keep-Cool is a laundryman by profession.”

After being in Monroe for a year and a half, Keyes sold the lease in November 1887 to H. C. Tyler, who was an experienced hotel proprietor and manager from Goshen, Indiana. Tyler took possession on December 1 and brought a first-class cook and other help with him. The editor printed on December 14, “There is a generosity and hospitality about the house that is felt immediately [as] you enter, yet the quiet, unostentation [sic], the at-home feeling, is marked and genuine.”

One hundred guests “sat down to the grandest dinner ever served in this city” on Christmas Day 1887 at The Ludlow. The menu, which included black bear, antelope, opossum, and much, much more, “was served in grand style and with a generosity that exceeded the capacity of the most capacious bread basket.” Tyler said that “he received his compensation in the hearty appreciation of his guests.”

The Ludlow had a complete fire escape, the first one put on any building in Monroe, put onto the building in February 1888. The editor added, “There should be one or two put on the Central School building without delay. A little precaution may avert a great calamity, and delays are often dangerous.”

Ground was broken the following month for a new brick carriage house and stables for the hotel. Tyler planned to have a large and well-trained team for his omnibus line, which he will own and control for his guests, exclusively. The new building will be on the southeast corner of the lots,” facing the alley. Tyler “had his new ‘bus, new harness, and a span of horses doing service between times to and from all passenger trains” by the end of May.

It was announced in December 1889 that The Ludlow was “to have a thorough system of water supply from the Monroe Water Work pipes;” the work was completed by the middle of January. The editor said that this spoke “volumes for Mr. Ludlow’s liberality in furnishing this elegant hotel.”

After having managed the hotel for three years, Tyler decided to leave. Arabut Ludlow then leased it, effective March 15, 1890, to Messrs. Larabee and Marigold, who were experienced and popular hotel men from Watertown.

It was announced on June 24, 1891 that Ed Faubel had been hired to repaper, paint, and varnish the hotel throughout. The paper was furnished by O’Connor & Leland, druggists on the west side of the Square, with the work finished by the end of July. The editor commented on August 19 that “under its new proprietorship, it has advanced a peg or two, and is really the nicest and most complete hotel in the state, outside Milwaukee’s best.” More than $1,000 had been expended for new carpets, decorations, paper hanging, and curtains. A large new range had been put into the kitchen, and the electric lights restored. Combined with the gas chandeliers the effect was very pretty.

Repairs continued to be made during the following years. In May 1892 the hotel and its surroundings were being repainted and repaired by workmen from the Planing Mill. The outside of the hotel was being repainted, a light brick color in July 1894.

There was a fire “in the kitchen basement” at 4:00 a.m. on September 2, 1895. Unfortunately, the smoke permeated the entire interior. In addition, there was some charred wood and some blistered paint and varnish near the blaze. “A lively scramble was made by the guests and other occupants of the sleeping apartments, after their rude awakening by smoking noise, and somewhat nude appearances. But nothing more serious happened.”

Arabut Ludlow passed away on April 5, 1896 so his three sons then took over management of the hotel ownership. In December a Mr. and Mrs. Christensen took over the daily operation of the hotel. Ed Faubel and George Vogt were hired to do “the paper hanging, painting and polishing” again. The paper reported on January 6, 1897 that the house was being put through “the most complete and thorough overhauling and repairing that it had undergone since it was first open to the public.” That included “new paper on the walls and ceilings, paint, - scouring the steam heat and gas apparatus, etc., etc.”

In February, the editor printed, “The Ludlow Hotel has not been in as fine condition since it was built and first opened to the public as it is now. Time and experience has suggested needed improvements; these have been made, and under Mr. Christensen’s management, this hotel is bound to take first rank in $2.00 per day hotels. Table board by week at reasonable discount.”

The final installation about “The Ludlow” will follow.

— Matt Figi is a Monroe resident and a local historian. His column will appear periodically on Wednesdays in the Times. He can be reached at mfigi48@tds.net or at 608-325-6503.