For sale is an original early 1900s WEST HOTEL STATIONARY from Minneapolis, Minnesota. This stationary is dated 1907. The letter includes a detailed graphic of this historic hotel. Letter measures about 9 1/2 inches by 5 3/4 inches. This letter would look great framed next to a black and white photo of the hotel. An interesting ephemera collectible.
The text of the business letter is as follows: “Urbana wine Co., Urbana, NY – Mr. James Riel, Manager – Dear Sir, Enclosed you will (illegible) to find orders. I am writing you hurriedly that I may catch the evenings Eastern maid. I think I will run this to Duluth Sunday evening (illegible). There at hotel Spalding till Tuesday there back here till Wednesday then I will leave for Sioux City. There Thursday & Friday at West Hotel reaching Omaha Friday evening if Paxton hours where I will remain over Sunday a week.”
The letter appears to be a travelling wine salesman sending orders back to the company along with an update regarding his travel schedule.
In 1884, Minneapolis proudly introduced the West Hotel, its first world-class establishment. With 407 guest rooms and an opulent lobby adorned with marble and stained glass, the hotel symbolized the city’s burgeoning aspirations. Although initially successful, the West Hotel faced financial challenges and a tragic fire in 1906, which tested its resilience. As newer hotels emerged and guest preferences changed, the West Hotel struggled to keep up, leading to a succession of owners and eventual demolition in 1940.
The West Hotel hosted distinguished guests like Mark Twain and Winston Churchill and played a significant role in Minneapolis’ history, including hosting the 1892 Republican National Convention. However, evolving demands and a shifting neighborhood context posed obstacles. As competing hotels offered more amenities and the surrounding area transformed, the West Hotel’s allure gradually faded. Today, its legacy lives on as a testament to the city’s early aspirations and the changing tides of time.
