Talk about building a new hotel in Monroe continued after more than three years. According to an article from the August 22, 1883 Monroe Sentinel, many people were expressing an opinion about which would be the best location for the hotel even though it had not been determined who would build it. “The difference of opinion regarding the proper site for the new hotel should be backed by ducats. Without putting up something, a man is not expected to say much. The Loofbourow place, the Linder corner, the Sam Mack place, the widow Green’s place (across the road from Mack’s), and the Schaefer property” all had their advocates. “At any rate, gentlemen, let the preference not interfere with the determination to locate it somewhere. Let us have peace and a hotel.”
Another article in the same paper stated, “When such a man as A. Ludlow says I will build a hotel in the city and put it in running order, it means something. Mr. Ludlow is abundantly able to build a good one — he would not build a poor one, and the small consideration — a mere pledge of good will from the business men of Monroe to furnish a suitable site for the building he proposes to erect, is a mere bagatelle compared with the investment our esteemed fellow citizen proposes to make — pro bono publico. No hotel should be built without a little thrown in. Mr. Ludlow will build a hotel with all the modern improvements and conveniences; not too large, but elegant, substantial, and one that will be a credit to the city, a monument of his public spirit and thoroughness.” The editor even referred to it as the “Ludlow Grand.”
The editor shared the following week that the bonus required for the hotel site was “nearly made up, and enough is pledged to complete the subscription.” He added that those who had been predicting that a hotel would never materialize “simply don’t know the amount of sand there is behind Mr. Ludlow’s promise to build a hotel.” Ludlow had already gone to Chicago “to employ an architect and arrange the preliminaries.” Work was to begin immediately.
The newspaper reported that Ludlow had purchased the property from Schafer, but that was not quite true. The Court House records showed that Karl and Augustina Schafer sold the two lots on the southeast corner of 9th Street and 16th Avenue to Norman Churchill on August 20, 1883 for $2,500; possession was to be by March 1884. Those lots were then sold to Ludlow for the same price the following month.
The new architect, a Mr. Douglas from Chicago, was in Monroe early in September. “The question of drainage was duly considered, and other fine points discussed, such as frontage, elevation, and light.” It was shared on September 19 that Mr. Ludlow had confirmed that the hotel would be built on that corner, not far from the northwest corner of the Square. The money to purchase the two lots had been subscribed; they would be cleared and work begun as soon as the plans were completed. The editor added that all hoped “Mr. Ludlow will live long to enjoy the hospitalities and handsome appearance of the palace hotel, which in all human probability will be done within the next year, if not sooner.”
It was shared in October that the plans would cost at least $20,000 and could reach $25,000. Ludlow, now 65, shared in December that he was making arrangement for the building “as soon as spring opens” or sooner. He also said that the hotel “will be built if he lives.” The editor added that “he is in good health now. Long may he continue so.”
Ludlow sold the shops and dwelling house from the lots on January 12, 1884 at public auction for $380. He reserved the blacksmith shop for a store house for lime and more until after the hotel was completed. He was expecting the hotel plans about that time and was ready to “receive proposals for doing the work immediately.” Again, the editor added, “One thing is quite certain he will not let the contract to any irresponsible or botch workman, and he proposes to favor home talent if there is not too wide a difference in the bids.”
Ludlow went to Milwaukee in February “on hotel business.” Sutton Norris, a contractor and builder from Janesville, was also in town at that time. Bids were opened on February 22 with E. B. Soper of Monroe having the lowest bid of $23,650. Ludlow awarded him the contract and was proud that “his hotel is to be built by our home mechanics.” A subcontract for machine work was awarded to Shopbell & Norris, Janesville; a master brick layer from Freeport and Hiram Snyder, a plasterer from Monroe, also received contracts. It was expected at that time that the hotel would be completed by October.
A dispute was shared on March 26 that changed the contractor for the hotel. The architect decided that since Soper would not sign the plumbing contract, the bid of local builder, Jacob Steinman, whose bid was $24,500, would be accepted instead; he would undertake immediate construction of the building. The editor commented, “It is to be regretted that anything so unpleasant has occurred, but differences of opinion as to who is in the right do not affect the honesty and character of the principal parties.”
Excavation for the building was started in April; it was reported that D. S. Young was filling his quarry on north 16th Avenue with fill from the hotel.
Construction of the hotel was watched closely by the community. The foundation walls were being installed by May 28 and the brick was also being hauled onto the grounds. “The stone walls are going up rapidly and will soon be ready for the bricks” by June 18. The walls of the “new palace hotel” were well up to the second story by July 30. It was reported the following week, “The walls of the new hotel are nearly up to the fourth story. The frame for the mansard will be put on next week the weather permitting.”
There will be more about this magnificent building in the next four columns.
— 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.
