Metropolitan Hotel Now Being Torn Down

[genealogynut]

Howard Courant- Citizen
Thursday, August 24, 1944

One of Howard's Landmarks Being Wrecked--To Be Replaced Later By Modern Business Block

Last week Geo T. Ellis and his crew of workmen started work tearing down the Metropolitan Hotel building which for the past few years has been unoccupied.  The building has long been an institution in Howard, having been built in 1888 and 1889, being formally opened for business in June of 1890.  All during these years it was a popular hotel and served the public under many landlords. The building is now owned by Paul M. Thompson of Howard, who has announced that when materials and labor are available after the war, he plans to have a modern business building erected on the corner.  There will be a considerable quantity of salvage from the building, mostly lumber, which has a good demand at this time.

From the files of the Howard papers we were able to find a few references to the erection of the Metropolitan Hotel which will be of interest to our readers:

The Howard Courant of December 28, 1888, published the following notice:

"Sealed Bids-Notice to Contractors: Sealed bids will be received by W. S. Lambert or W. M. Crooks, until 12 o'clock m., January 15, 1889, for the erection of a three story business hotel block to be built on the corner of Wabash Ave. and Randolph St., opposite the Howard State Bank.  Plans and specifications can be seen with W. M. Crooks and the right to reject any and all bids is reserved.--Metropolitan Hotel Co.

From the Democrat, June 5, 1889:  Work on the new hotel, corner of Wabash avenue and Randolph street, will commence soon.  The last one of the old buildings is now being removed, and J. B. ANderson, the supintendent of construction, went up to Emporia yesterday, to make final arrangements, for the building.  We are more than glad that the building is a certainty, as it will be quite an improvement to the city."

On October 23, 1889:  The Democrat said:

"The stone for the hotel is nearly all cut and the masons are putting on the water tables and laying up the buttresses and steps."

The Democrat, November 6, 1889:  "The masons are busy laying up the wall of the new hotel and are making rapid progress."

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