Joseph S. Potter (unknown - unknown) was an early settler and builder in Grand Rapids, recognized for his role in constructing the city's first hotel, the Eagle Hotel, in 1834.
Early Life and Settlement in Grand Rapids
Little is known about Potter’s early life prior to his arrival in Grand Rapids in 1834. He was among a wave of settlers who arrived that year, joining a growing community of pioneers, land speculators, and traders seeking opportunities in the developing frontier town. At the time, Grand Rapids was transitioning from a fur trading post into a permanent settlement, with a population of roughly twenty men and their families.
The Eagle Hotel
In 1834, Potter began construction of the Eagle Hotel at 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, now approximately where Rosa Parks Circle’s public restroom facilities stand. The modest, story-and-a-half wooden structure was soon expanded by Louis Campau, the city’s founding figure. It quickly became a central hub for social and commercial activity, with ownership and management changing hands multiple times over the following decades, reflecting the transient nature of the early hospitality industry.
Later Developments
While Potter was instrumental in the establishment of the hotel, historical records do not detail his later life or contributions beyond this formative period. However, accounts suggest that he may have served as a tax collector for the village during the township era, alongside other early settlers such as Ira Jones, Aaron Russell, and William I. Blakely. His involvement in the construction of the Eagle Hotel stands as his primary documented legacy in Grand Rapids history.
Links and Resources
- History of the City of Grand Rapids by Albert Baxter, 1891
- A Citizens' History of Grand Rapids, Michigan by William J. Etten, 1926
