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The Eagle Hotel, the first hotel in Grand Rapids, was established in 1834 to accommodate the growing number of settlers, land speculators, and travelers arriving in the burgeoning frontier town. It was originally constructed by Joseph S. Potter but was soon completed and expanded by Louis Campau, the city’s founding figure. The hotel was located at 10 & 12 Waterloo Street, the northwest corner of Waterloo Street (later reconfigured as Monroe Avenue NW) and Louis Street (renamed Louis Street NW), placing it near the heart of early Grand Rapids commerce. Today, the site is approximately the location of the public restroom facilities at Rosa Parks Circle.

Upon its opening, the Eagle Hotel operated as a simple, story-and-a-half wooden structure, with William H. Godfroy, a fur trader and businessman, serving as its first landlord. Over the next two decades, the hotel passed through the hands of several proprietors, including Louis Moran (1836), Canton Smith (1838), James T. Finney (1841), Herman Leonard and Marston C. Luce (c. 1843–44), Charles Trompe, Gideon Surprenant (1840s), D. E. Fisher (1849), and Mrs. Fisher, followed by William R. Barnard (1853), Washington Heath (1856), and J. L. Heath (1859). These frequent changes in management reflected the transient and competitive nature of the early hospitality industry in Michigan.

The Eagle Hotel quickly became one of the most prominent establishments in Grand Rapids and was widely recognized as a center of social activity and lodging. It catered to a mix of travelers, businessmen, and settlers who relied on its accommodations while navigating the rapidly developing western frontier.

Expansion and Prominence (1860s–1880s)

As Grand Rapids continued to grow, so too did the Eagle Hotel. By the 1860s, the structure had been expanded multiple times, transforming from a modest wooden tavern into a spacious and well-known hostelry. In 1863, George C. Evans took over as proprietor, followed by Arthur R. Antisdel until 1871. During this period, the hotel’s reputation flourished, and it became a favored destination for businessmen, traveling salesmen (commonly known as “drummers”), and political figures.

Evans' tenure was marred by a violent incident that occurred on 18 February 1863, resulting in the death of Coburn Balch, a guest from Irving Township, Barry County. Balch, while dining at the hotel, reportedly made indelicate remarks about the toughness of his steak toward a female server while under the influence of alcohol. The server reported the incident to Evans, who responded with immediate physical violence. According to eyewitness testimony, Evans forcefully dragged Balch out of the dining room, struck him over the left eye with his fist, and proceeded to kick him while he was on the ground. Balch, though initially conscious, later succumbed to his injuries the following evening after developing erysipelatous inflammation, a severe bacterial infection linked to the trauma he sustained. A coroner’s inquest ruled that Balch’s death was caused by the injuries inflicted by Evans, leading to a manslaughter conviction. Evans was sentenced to two and a half years in Jackson State Prison; his proprietorship of the Eagle Hotel came to an abrupt and ignominious end, and he died while incarcerated in 1865.

In 1868, James Kennedy Johnston, a New York native and a devout supporter of the temperance movement, acquired the Eagle Hotel, marking a significant turning point in its history. After Antisdel's departure in 1871, Johnston would go on to be its most notable and long-serving proprietor, transforming the hotel into a respected and strictly alcohol-free establishment. His tenure was marked by efforts to modernize and expand the hotel’s offerings, making it more competitive with newer hotels in the region.

By 1879, the Eagle Hotel underwent major renovations and expansions. These improvements, which included new furniture, carpets, and structural enhancements, solidified the hotel’s status as one of the most affordable and well-maintained accommodations in the state. It was frequently praised for its quality service, comfortable rooms, and reasonable rates, with contemporary newspapers referring to it as “the most popular low-priced hotel in Michigan.”

Destruction by Fire and Reconstruction (1883)

On the night of 5 February 1883, disaster struck. A devastating fire broke out at approximately 2:00 a.m., quickly engulfing the Eagle Hotel in flames. The structure, largely made of aged and highly combustible wood, was completely destroyed, leaving only ashes and ruin.

The fire was first noticed by a guest, G. S. Meacham, who awoke to the sensation of smoke in his room and promptly raised the alarm. The hotel’s night watchman, Walter Arndt, heroically worked to alert guests and evacuate the building, ensuring that all boarders and staff escaped safely. Notably, several young women employed as dining room attendants fled in their nightclothes, barefoot, in the freezing weather, and took shelter at the nearby Rathbun House.

The fire completely gutted the building, resulting in an estimated $10,000 loss for James K. Johnston, who carried no insurance on the property. Despite this financial setback, Johnston immediately began making plans to rebuild. By April 1883, he had repurchased the property for $15,000 and initiated construction on a new, fire-resistant brick structure.

The reconstruction process moved swiftly. By June 1883, the brick walls were rising, and by August, the roof was installed. The new hotel featured four stories, modern heating, electric call bells, upgraded furnishings, and improved fire escapes. On 12 November 1883, Johnston celebrated the grand reopening of the Eagle Hotel with an elaborate banquet, attended by the city’s elite, business leaders, and prominent public figures. The dining hall was adorned with flowers and decorations, and the menu was hailed as one of the finest in Grand Rapids history.

The Temperance Era (1883–1916)

With its reopening in 1883, the Eagle Hotel became widely known as a temperance establishment, meaning it refused to serve alcohol—a rarity among hotels at the time. Johnston, a dedicated prohibitionist, took great pride in this policy. In an interview, he recalled the wagonloads of empty whiskey bottles that had been removed when he first took over the hotel in the 1860s and stated, “A glass of liquor never was sold here while I was proprietor.”

Under Johnston’s leadership, the Eagle Hotel became a favored lodging for traveling salesmen, religious leaders, and families seeking a clean and respectable stay. The hotel hosted numerous events, reunions, and banquets, including gatherings for 3rd Michigan Infantry Regiment veterans and other civic organizations.

Johnston, an active Mason, a Baptist deacon, and a philanthropist, also contributed to charitable causes, including supporting the City Rescue Mission. His death in 1916 marked the end of an era for the Eagle Hotel, as his sons—Guy, Carl, and Park Johnston—took over management.

Decline and Closure (1916–1933)

Following Johnston’s death, the Eagle Hotel struggled to maintain its former prominence. Though his sons continued operations, the hotel changed hands multiple times and was leased to various operators between 1923 and 1931.

The Great Depression (1929) dealt a final blow. As economic hardship deepened, business dwindled, and by March 1933, the Eagle Hotel officially closed its doors. A large sign was placed on the front entrance, advertising the sale of furniture and fixtures, symbolizing the end of Grand Rapids’ first and oldest hotel.

At the time of its closure, the Eagle Hotel had witnessed nearly a century of change, from Grand Rapids’ pioneer era to its emergence as an industrial city. Though the building was later demolished, its legacy remains tied to the history of Grand Rapids hospitality, the temperance movement, and the determination of its most famous proprietor, James K. Johnston.

 

 

Links and Resources

  1. Grand Rapids Daily Leader, 1879-10-06, Page 1
  2. The Eagle Hotel, Grand Rapids Daily Leader, 1879-12-01, Page 4
  3. The Evening Leader, 1881-09-27, Page 4
  4. EXIT EAGLE HOTEL, Grand Rapids Weekly Leader, 1883-02-07, Page 3
  5. Mr. Johnston’s Schemes, The Evening Leader, 1883-03-12, Page 4
  6. The Eagle Hotel Property Sold, The Evening Leader, 1883-04-09, Page 4
  7. To be Opened by a Banquet, The Evening Leader, 1883-11-07, Page 4
  8. THE NEW “EAGLE”: Grand Opening Tonight of Mr. Johnston’s New Hotel–Description of the House, The Evening Leader, 1883-11-12, Page 4
  9.  The “Phoenixed” Eagle, The Evening Press, 1883-11-13, Page 4
  10. A Reunion, The Evening Leader, 1883-11-21, Page 4
  11. The Old Third Reunion, The Evening Leader, 1883-12-03, Page 1
  12. History of the City of Grand Rapids by Albert Baxter, 1891
  13. VENERABLE CITIZENS CELEBRATE THEIR BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARIES, Grand Rapids Press, 1914-09-24, Page 13
  14. J. K. JOHNSTON, OLD HOTEL MAN, PASSES, Grand Rapids Press, 1916-10-21, Page 1
  15. Story of Grand Rapids’ First Hotel Comes to an End, Grand Rapids Press, 1933-03-02, Page 17
  16. Grand Rapids History Center, Sanborn Fire Insurance Map, 1878, Page 3
  17. Grand Rapids History Center, 018-002-006_200_1909
  18. Grand Rapids History Center, 033-010-024
  19. Grand Rapids Public Museum, Photograph Eagle Hotel_ID_121128
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