Northeast Michigan Oral History and Historic Photograph Archive

Fletcher House

Description

Media Type

Image

Item Type

Slides

Description

"This building is an immense structure, and intended more especially for the accommodations of Summer visitors. The discovery of the mineral springs led to the building of this hotel. It was built by Mr. Geo. N. Fletcher, at a cost of about $50,000, and opened July 12, 1872." "The building is of wood, three stories high, with a French roof. The frontage extends 155 feet on Water Street, running parallel with the river; 140 feet on the bay, and 100 feet on River Street. A double verandah extends around three sides, measuring over 800 feet in length, and is accessible from every portion of the house. The first floor has a main entrance twelve feet wide, 250 feet of alls, from ten to twelve feet wide, an office 21 x 32, parlor 22 x 30, dining room 34 x 50, capable of seating 150 guests (the latter two front on the bay), a fine billiard room, barber shop and two stores. The second story is divided into thrity-six suits of rooms, and some 400 feet of halls. The third story has thirty-nine suits of rooms, and some 400 feet of halls. Each room is supplied with water, lighted with gas, heated with steam, and are well ventilated." "The location of the Fletcher house when first built was delightful - commanding a full and uninterrupted view of Thunder Bay...however, lumber mills with their log piles...injured the hotel surroundings. On December 10, 1886, a contract was let to move the Fletcher House. It was moved from the shoreline and turned to front on First Avenue. The moving was completed on January 31, 1887. The majestic structure was then renamed the Churchill House. The Churchill House burned April 8, 1899." Alpena's City Hall now sits on the property.

Notes

The above was taken from "The Town That Wouldn't Die" by Robert Haltiner.

Date of Original

c 1872

Dimensions