Whitside Co IL Family Websites

Whiteside County Old Hotels

ANTHONY HOUSE was establisbed in Sterling but a few months ago by C. L. Anthony, of Franklin Grove, who was for many years proprietor of the Franklin House in that city. While in Franlklin Grove, Mr. Anthony made a reputation as a hotel keeper that has made for him many friends among the traveling men tbroughout the country. He is at present located at 112 West. Third street, where he conducts one of the most popular boarding houses in the city.

CONGRESS INN was located on the NW corner of East 3rd Street and 4th Avenue. It was torn down in 1958 to make way for a bank. Contributed by Cody Cutter

ERIE HOTEL
The Breed Block and Erie Hotel building are shown in this photo taken around 1907.
A livery stable was located in the building at the far right where a bowling alley is now located (1976).

GALT HOUSE One of the finest hotels west of Chicago, was erected in 1876—77, and formally opened to the public on the 21st of August, of the latter year. Over five hundred guests participated in the complimentary banquet given in its honor, under the management of Messrs. A Terrell, Joseph M. Patterson, and E. W. Edson, an executive committee on the part of the citizens. The hotel is situated on the southwest corner of Locust and Fourth streets, with a front of one hundred and twenty feet on the former street, and one hundred on the latter is four stories high, with a basement, and has all the room, convenience, and elegance of the modern first class hotel. It is owned by Thomas A. Galt. In 1896 there was a writeup in the paper about the Galt House "is now conducted by J. H. Shafor. The building is one of the finest in Sterling and is fitted with all modern conveniences to be found in hotels. Mr. Shafor is a man of wide experience in his business and he has done a great deal toward making the present enviable reputation which the hotel enjoys. Special rates, are given to tourist families and traveling companies. The hotel is centrally located on Locust street.
Whiteside County History 1877
**From Cody Cutter December 2005 - "The "Galt House" was destroyed by fire in 1971. It was located on the SW corner of Fourth Street and Locust Avenue. For it's later years, it was known as the Miami Hotel and one of it's accompanying businesses on the ground level was Merle Norman Cosmetics (still in operation on East 3rd Street in Sterling). One of my grandparents friends, Arlyn Oetting, battled the blaze and the Fire Chief at the time was Elmer Bartz. Bartz recently died after serving as 1st Ward Alderman for Sterling."

LINCOLN TAVERN Click here for the History of the Lincoln Tavern

THE RANDOLPH HOUSE
Mrs. E.I. Randolph has been engaged in the hotel business in Sterling more than twenty years. The present Randolph Hotel (1896) was erected by her five years ago. It has forty rooms, well lighted and well ventilated, parlors, reading rooms, sample rooms, and all appurtenaces common to a first class hotel. The rate is $1.50 per day. The hotel is centrally located and is convenient to business as well as to both railway stations. The hotel is one of the leaders in the city located in the Business District, one block from the Depots. The 1900 Census lists this Hotel on West 2nd Street. Mrs. Randolph is listed as Emma J. Randolph age 70 born in NY. The proprietor at this time appears to be Frank Wilson age 30. Cody Cutter tells me this hotel was located on the SE corner of West 3rd Street and Avenue "A". Right now, there is nothing there, as it was torn down in the mid-1980's (1984?) to make way for a parking lot. Her great-grandmother, Helen Holland, once worked there.
See Biography of Mrs. Emma Randolph

TheROCK ISLAND HOUSE - In her white frame cottage on Sixth avenue, Sterling, the writer found Mrs. Elizabeth Davis, quietly enjoying the sunset of life. Her maiden name was Work, and she was married to Reuben Davis in Ohio in 1849. They came to Como, where they kept the Rock Island House, at which the stage travelers took meals. At the same time, her husband practiced his profession, as he had attended medical lectures in Cincinnati. In 1860 they moved to the farm in Hahnaman, where they lived till his death in 1887. Although busy with his farm, he had constant calls from the sick which he always obeyed. A ready speaker, and fond of debate. When able to go out, Mrs. Davis is a regular attendant at the Lutheran church. She is nearly 77. Doc was 68.

The "ROCK RIVER HOUSE," a well-known and historic hotel in Portland and Prophetstown was destroyed by fire in 1872.