Bridge Street House records
Scope and Contents
Details the daily expenses of the hotel, located at the corner of Michigan and Kent streets, before and after the structure burned in 1855, as well as the guests of the Bridge Street House after the building reopened.
Dates
- 1854-1860
Creator
- Bridge Street House (Grand Rapids, Mich.) (Organization)
Biographical / Historical
The Bridge Street House was built at the corner of E. Bridge (now Michigan) and Kent streets in 1837 as a tavern. Over the course of time the wood frame structure was enlarged to accommodate overnight guests until it was destroyed by fire on February 10, 1855. It was rebuilt and reopened on June 12, 1857. During the Civil War, the hotel served as the headquarters for recruiting officers and, until the Michigan Veteran's Facility was built in 1886, it also was a meeting place for veterans after the war.
Just prior to the fire, the hotel was run by Gottlieb Christ, a German immigrant who had previously been in the beer brewing business with his two brothers.
Extent
1.3 Linear Feet (One box)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The Bridge Street House was an early tavern and hotel in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This collection includes three volumes of records from the hotel: a register from 1857-1860 and day books from 1853-1854 and 1857-1861. Though apparently not comprehensive, these volumes detail the daily expenses of the hotel, before and after the structure burned in 1855. The names of guests of the hotel are included from 1854 to 1860, primarily after the building reopened after the fire. The volumes provide insight into the business of the hotel and also into temporary residents in the city of Grand Rapids.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Mrs. E.H. Christ, November 12, 1928; accession number 00.000
- Title
- Finding aid for the Bridge Street House records
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Richard Harms
- Date
- June 1996
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Grand Rapids History Center Repository
Grand Rapids Public Library
111 Library Street NE
Grand Rapids Michigan 49503 USA
616-988-5497
localhis@grpl.org