202 Minnesota Avenue, Blk 18, south end of Lots 13-16, Orig townsite
Merchants Hotel, Merchants Saloon (1904)
Matt Mayer is getting along nicely with the work of raising his building on Minnesota Avenue. He was one of the first to begin the work of raising to the grade required under the new conditions and conforming to the establishment of the sewers and grading of the street. Matt owns the Merchants Hotel building and saloon and the Viking Saloon building. Victor Gustafson of Chisholm has the contract for raising the buildings and placing new foundation under them. (9/28/1906)
Fire on Feb. 6, 1907
The buildings destroyed were located on Minnesota avenue, reaching from the corner of Second street to the alley, mid way between Second and Third streets.
The fire started in the building located between P. J. Russel’s office and the Merchants hotel, and was first discovered by Clarence Huck, night clerk at the Markham hotel, who saw the flames issuing from the rear of the structure. An alarm was quickly turned in, and the firemen responded with the apparatus. Although the fire boys worked diligently, the labors were much handicapped by an inadequate supply of water with which to cope with the fire. The flames, which had gained much headway before being discovered, spread rapidly, the Merchants hotel building and Thome & Mayer’s saloon, soon being enveloped and doomed to destruction. P. J. Russell’s office building and the saloon building adjoining on the north were soon in flames and the efforts to check the fire were unavailing, although the fire engine was brought to the scene and pressed into service.
The fire ate through the wooden structures until it reached the double block belonging to P. M. Dudley. This was soon a mass of flames, but the firemen made a stand at this point and stopped the fire before it leaped the alley to the north….
There were seven buildings, in all destroyed, as follows: Thome & Mayer, double building, one part saloon other hotel conducted by W. E Hazen; Thome & Mayer, saloon operated by E. Kinney; Mondeau estate, office of Attorney P. J. Russell; Mondeau estate, saloon operated by Andrew Dahl; P. M. Dudley, double building operated as saloon and hotel.
The building in which the fire originated was occupied by J. E. Kinney with a stock of liquors. At the time the fire was discovered by outsiders, there were four or five men in the saloon, besides the bartenders, none of whom knew the building was in flames until notified from outside. (Feb 6, 1907)
Having the utmost faith in the stability of Bernidjiand its future growth and development, Thome & Mayer will erect a handsome three-story brick block, to replace their building which was destroyed by fire on February 7th, and caused them a loss of over $15,000.
The next day after the fire, which was a heavy loss to the firm, Messrs Thome & Mayer began figuring on replacing the buildings which were burned. They consulted architects in various cities of the state, and had rough sketches of proposed submitted to them for their approval…. The new block will be of solid brick, 60×100 feet, three stories in height, and will be so constructed as to be used for a first class hotel with many rooms, a cafe, barber shop, store building, wareroom and several office rooms.
There will be a commodious basement, extending the full length of the entire building, which will be equipped with a laundry and will also contain the heating plant.
On the ground floor, the saloon of Thome & Mayer will occupy the room on the corner of Second Street and Minnesota avenue, which will be 20×60, and fitted with fine new fixtures. Extending on Minnesota avenue, there will be a room for use as a barber shop, 16×30, also a room to be rented for merchandise purposes, 24×65. In the center of the rear of the building, there will be a court, six feet wide, extending fifty feet, allowing light for all the rooms in that portion of the building. On the Second Street side will be located the hotel office, dining room and kitchen.
On the second floor the eight front rooms will be used for offices and will be fitted out for that purpose, and are already leased in advance. The balance of the floor will be used for sleeping rooms, in connection with the hotel, there being sixty four rooms.
On the third floor there will be forty sleeping rooms for the hotel, which will be called “The Merchants.”
There will be bath rooms, closets, etc., and every requisite for a first-class hostelry.
The completed plans and specifications are now in the possession of the architect and will be returned to Thome & Mayer and bids requested for the erection of the building which will be opened and the contract awarded March 25.
It is estimated that the block will cost, when completed, $25,000, and will be one of the most substantial and handsome brick buildings in the city.
Work begun on rebuilding of hotel – May 17, 1907.
The Front of the New Merchants Hotel Building Gives Way and Falls to the Ground. The Loss Is Estimated at $5,000.00.
With a crash that could be heard over nearly the entire city, the front of the new Thome & Mayer $20,000 brick block collapsed and fell to the ground yesterday evening, at about 8:30 o’clock, causing a general stampede of people who were in the vicinity of the block, corner of Minnesota and Second. Fortunately, no one was injured, and beyond a few bricks and a piece of stone crashing through the roof of the small wooden structure in front of the building, no damage was done to abutting property.
An inspection of the building by daylight this morning shows that the entire front is ruined, and that about ten feet of the side walls back from the front have been wrecked.
The block was almost completed to the top of the third story. The front had been enclosed and the work of completing the brick portion was being rushed and was almost ended. The partitions for the various rooms were placed, also some of the floors. In fact the exterior of the building was about finished and Contractor Kreatz was contented that he would soon have completed his contract. Mr. Kreatz was absent in Walker, but was telephoned regarding the accident, and stated that he would return to Bemidji as soon as he could come on the first train.
Frank B. Higby, who has had charge of the brick work and who was the superintendent of the building, says of the collapsing of the front. “The cause of the accident was the fact that the center pier of the building, which was under the eye beam, crushed from under the beam and was broken, which weakened the entire front, and having no strong support, the front gave away, taking with it about ten feet of the side walls, which were held in place by the iron anchors.”
“I was notified, about 7:30, that the pier was collapsing, and though I inspected the front thoroughly, I saw no way to prevent the wrecking of the front, under the circumstances
The crushing of the pier was the whole cause of the wrecking of the front.” (July 31, 1907)
The Hotel Burroughs, the elegant new hostelry located in the Thome & Mayer brick block, corner Minnesota avenue and Second street, will be formally opened to the public Saturday evening, when an elaborate dinner will be served to the public.
H. P. Burroughs, who has conducted the City Restaurant in this city for the last three years, is proprietor of the new hotel, and he has spared no pains or expense to make the Burroughs Hotel second to none in this part of the state. The Hotel Burroughs will run on the European plan, with all the accessories necessary for conducting a thoroughly up-to-date establishment.
The hotel occupies the greater portion of the Thome & Mayer block. The entrance to the office is located on Second Street, the corner of the building being used by Thome & Mayer for a refreshment parlor. The office is large and commodious and fully equipped for the convenience of the guests.
On the first floor there is also a dining room, and lunch room and kitchen. In the basement is located the laundry and two large sample rooms. On the second and third floors are the sleeping rooms, nearly all of which are equipped with baths.
Mr. Burroughs has spent a large sum of money in furnishing the hotel as a first class hostelry, and he has also engaged the very best help to assist him in conducting the hotel.
Amos Ward of Minneapolis has been engaged as the head chef of the hotel. He came here highly recommended as a cook. Miss Smith of Minneapolis will act as head waitress and have charge of the dining room. Ben Lyons, who was employed by Mr. Burroughs in the City Restaurant, will officiate as day clerk, and Erton Geil will be behind the desk nights, while H. P. Burroughs will have personal charge of the entire building.
Mr. Burrroughs is possessed of a gamey spirit which is a winner, and he will undoubtedly make a success of conducting the big hotel which bears his name. (Dec 6, 1907)
H.P. Burroughs may lose control of the Merchants hotel of this city. Thome & Mayer, the owners of the block, served papers yesterday on Mr. Burroughs for possession of the building alleging that Burroughs had broken the lease by failing to pay one month’s rent, amounting to $235.
The case will be taken before Judge Simons Tuesday morning at 10 o’clock, and in case the decision is in favor of the plaintiffs, a new man will take charge of the hotel soon after that date. Thome & Mayer received a telegram from the Boutell Bros.’ Furniture company of Minneapolis, who own part of the hotel furniture, stating that their representative would be here Monday to take charge of their interests. The rumor which has been going around to the effect that the state inspector of buildings has condemned the Thome & Mayer block is false. The building is in a sound condition and is perfectly safe, according to Thome & Mayer. (April 1908)
Burroughs will Vacate Hotel (April 4, 1908) Resumed business as Merchants Hotel
New Cigar Factory.
Roy Burkhart and Joseph Fleckenstein of Crookston, who will conduct a first-class cigar factory in Bemidji, arrived in the city today, prepare to begin action in getting out their new cigars. The gentlemen have leased rooms in the Thome & Mayer block (the Merchants hotel) and are awaiting the arrival of their large stock of tobaccos, when they will open up for business. Both Mr. Burkhart and Mr. Fleckenstein are past masters as cigarmakers, having been in the employ of H. F. Brown of Crookston whose name is a household word over west as connected with cigar perfection. (May 4, 1908)
Merchants Hotel write-up and photo of Thome-Mayer building in paper dated April 30, 1908. Opens with Meyer as manager, article May 7, 1908
Anton Rood filed a complaint with the council asking the revocation of the liquor license of Matt Thome, in the building known as the Merchants Hotel, giving as his cause that liquor was furnished and paid for after 11 o’clock p. m. This petition was referred to Mayor Pogue, to be brought up at the next meeting. (July 21, 1908)
CHICAGO RESTAURANT TO BE OPENED THURSDAY
Jacob Lee and Charles Gom Have Rented the Merchants Hotel Café and Dining Room.
Jacob Lee and Charles Gom, two Chinamen who came here recently from Chicago, have completed arrangements with Matt Mayer to rent the cafe and dining room of the Merchants hotel, and will conduct a first class establishment under the name of the Chicago restaurant. Messrs. Lee and Gom will conduct the restaurant on two plans, the American and the Chinese, and the bills of fare will be composed of viands of the two nations. The Chicago Resturant will open for business next Thursday with an excellent dinner and Messrs. Lee and Gom invite the people of this community to patronize this place, which they intend to conduct in a clean and up-to-date manner. (Feb 27, 1909)
Mentioned in following papers: Dec 2, 1908; Mar 16, 1909; Jan 12, 1910; May 12, 1910
Rex Hotel opens – Proprietor and manager is Thomas Bailey. July 14, 1910. Lengthy article.
Mr. Thome formerly conducted the Merchants Hotel on the corner of Second Street and Minnesota avenue, the present site of the Rex Hotel. (April 26, 1911)
Rex Hotel, Lycan & Co., Proprs., R. B. Lycan Mngr., 202 Minnesota Avenue in 1912-13.
W.L. Meyers who was burned out in the Rex Hotel fire (fire on Nov 5, 1912) has asked the council to transfer his license from the Rex hotel building to the Stechman building on Third street and his request was granted. (Dec 3, 1912)
Fire Ruins (1914 Sanford map)
City attorney instructed to take up with the Duluth Brewing Co., the matter of tearing down the old Rex Hotel walls, etc. (May 25, 1914)
Matt Mayer moved his family to Grant Valley and became constable of Grant Valley in 1922. Mathias Mayer died Dec 29, 1929 in Crow Wing County, Mn. Buried in Greenwood Cemetery. Matt Thome and his family moved to Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin late in October 1917.