Name/Title
Business, Histories, Hotel, Brief History of Early Waupun HotelsDescription
Brief History of Early Waupun Hotels: Prepared by Edith Moul Scott, June 1959. Page 4.
The following is taken from an article in the Leader News of March 16, 1944. "The hotel at Chester in those days was a prosperous affair, and at certain seasons of the year was filled to capacity. Mr. McEwan ran the hotel back in the 70s when the hunting was reported at its best. Later Mr. McEwan sold the hotel to Mike Hall, father of Frank Hall of Waupun, who ran the hotel until his death about fifty years ago. The Hotel then was discontinued. Burned later. Mr. Hall recalled that once his father and mother were offered a considerable sum of money if they would move their hotel to Waupun, since the businessmen felt that too many travelers were staying in Chester, where the food was excellent and the service good. Mr. Hall paid Mr. McEwan $2,500 for the hotel. Besides being a stopping place for the many hunters the hotel was apparently social center for many Waupun residents. Ned Linsley remembers that many times during the winter months a party of people who make the trip to Chester by sleigh, would have an oyster supper at the hotel and spend the evening dancing. Only those in formal dress were allowed in the dining room at times, Ed Haueison reports.
Mr. L. L. Young told me that the Simpson House, run by Mrs. M. A. Simpson, consisted of two buildings on the North side of Main Street, east of the railroad tracks.
Edith Moul Scott
WAUPUN HOTELS, Special items.
Waupun Paper, April 25, 1890
"The ancient landmark known as the LOOK HOUSE, will disappear from the corner of Main and Mill streets and a fine hotel will take its place. The Building was not an ornament to Main St. and its historical value not sufficient to have it moved to Chicago for exhibition.
OUR NEW HOTEL--"Waupun" is to have a new hotel and an elegant one too, for a city of our size. A short time sing Messrs. Mitchell, Wheeler and Hinkley made a proposition to the Businessmen's Association to erect a hotel on the corner of Main and Mill Streets to cost between $12,000 and $14,000, provided the citizens would raise by subscription and give to them $2,500. A Committee was appointed and on Monday the last of the amount was secured, and work will be commenced at once. The Building will be of brick, 62 x 120 feet and two stories high, built and furnished in first class shape."
Madison Journal--April 25, 1890. "The National Hotel Company of Waupun has filed articles of association in the Secretary of State's office. The Capital stock is $12,000. THe incorporators are: George W. Mitchell, George F. Wheeler, and Lucius D. Hinkley. The object of the company is to erect a hotel in Waupun."