Name/Title
5th & Francis - Roubidoux Hotel of St. Joseph, MO.Entry/Object ID
2020.25.664Description
5th & Francis - The Great Roubidoux Hotel of St. Joseph, MO.
The magnificent hotel opened on September 15, 1908. In it's time, it was a luxurious european style hotel. An 6 foot oil portrait of Joseph Roubidoux was commissioned for the opening. Now that the hotel is gone, the painting is mounted in the Reference Room of the downtown library. It was a luxurious forum for business events and family celebrations. Many of their guests live there year round. The Black Angus room was noted for it's fabulous steaks & lobster dinners. The Pony Express Bar'n had great drinks.
For years they had great record hops in the 2nd floor ballroom sponsored by KUSN radio. We knocked the plaster off the ceiling below by stomping one night to the Mexican Hat Rock.
After that the hotel management no longer allowed the record hop to be held in the hotel, so the record hop moved to the Eagles Lodge on North 10th St
Hotel Robidoux was imploded on June 13,1976. The implosion did not go well, and part of the hotel fell on the building next door.
In 1978, Robidoux Center, a modern, multimillion dollar, 6 story office building replaced the hotel. American National Bank, & other businesses occupy the new building.
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https://www.stjosephmemorylane.com/5thstreet/north5th.htmlPhotograph Details
Subject
PhotographSubject Person or Organization
Hotel RobidouxSubject Place
Location
5th and Francis StreetCity
St. JosephState/Province
MissouriContext
Circa 1908
HOTEL ROBIDOUX
5th & Francis
Circa 1912
HOTEL ROBIDOUX
5th & Francis
Circa 1915
HOTEL ROBIDOUX
5th & Francis
Circa 1976
HOTEL ROBIDOUX
5th & Francis
Hotel Robidoux was imploded on June 13,1976
This magnificent hotel opened on September 15, 1908
Hotel Robidoux was imploded on June 13,1976
Many St. Joseph residents lived in the hotel year round
Their Black Angus room was noted for it's fabulous steaks & lobster dinners
They used to have great record hops in the 2nd floor ballroom sponsored by KUSN radio
We knocked the plaster off the ceiling below by stomping one night to the Mexican Hat Rock
The hotel management no longer allowed the record hop to be held in the hotel so it was moved to the Eagles Lodge on North 10th St
In 1978, Robidoux Center, a modern, multimillion dollar, 6 story office building replaced the hotel. American National Bank, & other businesses occupy the new building
Photo #1 - Hotel Robidoux
Photo #2 - parking garage entrance
Photo #3 - Implosion photo
Photo #4 - article about implosion
Photo #5 - Advertisement
Photo #6 - Hotel dining room
Photo #7 - Side entrance
Photo #8 - Hotel room keys
Photo #9 - Hotel Dinner plate
Photo #10 - Hotel Chalice
Photo #11 - KUSN radio advertisement
Photo #12 - Hotel Robidoux lobby
Photo #13 - motor entrance sign
Photo #14 - Terrace railing
Photo #15 - Main dining room
Photo #16 - Main dining room
Photo #17 - Hotel Robidoux Bar
Photo #18 - 06/14/1976 - hotel remains
Photo #19 - Hotel(R)- Noma Lights(L)
Photo #20 - Kitchen - circa 1918
Photo #21 - 1918 Billiard Room
Photo #22 - 1918 Ladies Waiting Room
Photo #23 - 1918 Tea Room
Photo #24 - Complimentary Needles
Photo #25 - Main lobby
Photo #26 - Typical Robidoux Hotel room
Photo #27 - 1941 Coffee Shop Menu (cover)
Photo #28 - 1941 Coffee Shop Menu (inside)
Photo #29 - 1910 water fountain
Photo #30 - April 17,1952 Lafayette banquet
Photo #31 - Hotel Robidoux bar room
Photo #32 - 1910 Billiards advertisement
Photo #33 - 1910 Postcard
Photo #34 - KUSN Record Hop ad
Photo #35 - Pony Express mixed menu
Photo #36 - Hotel Robidoux Coat of Arms
Photo #37 - Hotel Robidoux room #646 key
Photo #38 - Cup, Saucer & Room Key
Photo #39 - Gala Farewell Page 1
Photo #40 - Gala Farewell Page 2
Photo #41 - Gala Farewell Page 3
Photo #42 - Gala Farewell Page 4
Photo #43 - Gala Farewell Page 5
Photo #44 - 1940's Francis St Entrance
Photo #45 - 1911 Photo
Photo #46 - 1958 Christmas tree in lobby
KUSN radio pictures added
