Name/Title
Hotel George WashingtonEntry/Object ID
2016.019.012Description
Hotel George Washington
305-7 W. Adams Street
Architect: Marsh & Saxelbye
Completed and opened in 1926 (December 15) and closed in 1970 due to financial troubles. The George Washington was a thirteen story building with 260 rooms. The Hotel was the first in the nation to to become completley air conditioned and it had one of the first parking garages directly connected with the lobby. The George Washington Hotel had many famous visitors throughout its exsistence including, Charles A. Lindbergh after his historic 1927 flight and the Beatles in 1964.
During the big band days of the 1930s-40s, the hotel's Rainbow Room attracted name entertainment and was a popular dance spot. The room later became the George Washinton Streak House.
It's huge auditorium was built in 1941, and it was the only place in the city, other than the armory, that was big enough for large scale entertainment and was the scene of plays, symphony concerts, auto shows and high school graduations.
The Kloeppel family, who owned the hotel, sold to Caterers of Chicago owned by WIlliam H. Johnston Jr., in 1963. Caterers sold to Jay-Adams Corporation six years later and folded shortly after, reverting ownership to Caterers.
Plans to demolish the building were formed in 1972. It is now a parking lot.Collection
Woodward Photo CollectionMade/Created
Studio
The Woodward Studio, Inc.Lexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Secondary Object Term
Photograph, Black-and-WhiteNomenclature Primary Object Term
PhotographNomenclature Sub-Class
Graphic DocumentsNomenclature Class
Documentary ObjectsNomenclature Category
Category 08: Communication Objects