Circa 1887

Detroit-based architectural firm Mason and Rice made the Grand Hotel a reality then and now.  The work was overseen by Charles Caskey, a prominent resort builder who had created a number of seasonal cottages throughout the area. Together with his brother-in-law Alphonse Howe, Caskey gradually created a stunning five-story resort hotel base on plans provided by Mason and Rice.  The building soon featured a wealth of outstanding amenities including dining facilities, meeting spaces and 286 gorgeous guestrooms.  Its exterior radiated stunning Queen Anne-inspired architecture although accents of American Colonial Revivalism appeared all around the facade. 

The Grand Hotel now has 397 guest rooms including seven suites that are decorated in honor of  our country's former first ladies.  In preparation for the 1998 season, Lady Bird Johnson, Betty Ford, Rosalynn Carter, Nancy Reagan and Barbara bush were all consulted on  the decor for the apartment which bears their individual name on the third and fourth floors on the West end of the hotel overlooking the Mackinac Bridge.  The Jacqueline Kennedy Suite replaced the former Summer Place theme room on the east side of the front of the hotel in 2002.  The Laura Bush Suite was added for the 2011 season.

The Grand Hotel

Mackinac Island

Michigan

The Grand Hotel

Opened on July 10, 1887, the Grand Hotel was built by the Grand Rapids & Indiana and the Michigan Central railroads and the Detroit & Cleveland Navigation Company through the efforts of Sen. Francis B. Stockbridge.  It is built of Michigan white pine.  With its magnificent colonial porch, longest in the world, it is a classic example of gracious living seldom seen today.  One of the outstanding landmarks on the Great Lakes, it is the world's largest summer hotel. 

The "Grand" as it is called on the island is an historic coastal resort with a spectacular 660-foot long, three-story high porch.  Below this covered veranda is a manicured lawn sloping down to a formal flower gardn where 10,000 geraniums bloom in season among other flower beds with wild blossoms.  The hotel is located on Mackinac Island which is in the straits between Lake Michigan and Lake Huron.  It has thrived because of an important decision made in the 1920s.  

Grand Hotel Lobby

Grand Hotel Dining Room

The Grand Hotel, a member of Historic Hotels of America since 2001, dates back to 1887. 

The Grand Hotel was a summer retreat for vacations on Mackinac Island who arrived by lake steamer from Chicago and Detroit. 

In 1887, after months of continuous construction, the Grand hotel opened for the first time.  Billed as a seasonal retreat to those living in Chicago, Detroit, Montreal and othr places, the standard room rates varied between three and five dollars.  The hotel, nonetheless, impressed guests who arrived referring to the building as "America's Summer Palace".

In 1890, the Grand Hotel's famous Front Porch debuted and became the largest of its kind throughout the world.  It quickly served as the primary meeting spot for anyone on Mackinac Island especially for island romantics who referred to it as "Flirtation Walk". the Grand Hotel established itself as one of the nation's preeminent holiday destinations.

In 1895, one of the most famous guests to visit the Grand Hotel was Mark Twain who held a lecture at the casino with an admission fee of a single dollar.  Other influential people to stay around the same time incuded inventor Thomas Edison and United States President Grover Cleveland. 

In 1901, renowned golf course architect Tom Bendelow created the Grand Nine right next to the Grand Hotel.  The Grand Nine would serve as the Grand Hotel's exlusive golf course for generations.  The Grand Nine has now been incorporated into an even grander course known as "The Jewel". 

In 1919, the average nightly rates had risen to as high as six dollars.  W. Stewart Woodfill was hired to serve as a front desk clerk, thus beginning his memorable career at the Grand Hotel.  

In 1933, W. Stewart Woodfill finally obtained enough money to purchase the Grand Hotel, becoming its principal owner.  His time as proprietor saw the hotel's popularity soar as it continued to host all kinds of guests from around the world. Among the most prominent were sitting United States Presidents such as Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman and Dwight Eisenhower. (During the 1950s R.D. "Dan" Musser joined the staff as a cashier and quickly rose through the ranks to become Woodfill's most trusted lieutenant. Musser fell in love with the building and eventually purchased it outright from Woodfill in 1979.)

In 1947, the Grand Hotel hosted its first Hollywood crew when director Richard Thorpe showed up to shoot portions of his movie, This Time for Keeps starring Esther William and Jimmy Durante.  The film was about a soldier who attempted to figure out life upon his return from serving in WWII. 

In 1979, Jeannot Szwarc, director filmed Somewhere in Time at the Grand Hotel.  A romantic drama, the film starred Christopher Reeves and Jane Seymour.  The film specifically followed the tale of a playwright who wishes himself back in time to the Grand Hotel at the start of the 20th century.  He then pursues the love of a young actress while trying to outsmart her overbearing manager.  

The Grand Hotel offers "Somewhere in Time" Weekends.

Jane Seymour, who starred in the movie has visited the Grand Hotel and the "Somewhere in Time Suite" on multiple occasions.  The weekends include movie showings, walking tours of filming locations and welcome receptions. Other landmarks from the film include the Round Island Lighthouse, Mission Point Resort and the Somewhere in Time Gazebo.  

The Somewhere in Time Suite

In 1957, the Grand Hotel was designated a State Historical Building.  In 1972, the hotel was named to the National Register of Historic Places.  On Jun 29, 1989 the hotel was made a National Historic Landmark.  Leisure magazine lists it among the "Top 100 Hotels in the World".  The Wine Spectator noted the Grand Hotel with an "Award of Excellence" and it made the Gourmet magazine's "Top 25 Hotels in the World" list.  The Automobile Association rates the facilities as a Four Diamond resort and in 2009, the Grand Hotel was named one of the top U.S. Historic Hotels of America by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.  In 2012, the Grand Hotel celebrated its 125th anniversary with a series of memorable events:  Saturday night dinner with former Michigan governors in attendance, presentation by Grand Hotel interior designer Carlton Varney, Friday night fireworks, live musical performances and much more.  A special edition 125th anniversary coffee table book was published for the occasion.  2018, marked the Grand Hotel's 131st birthday and over 85 years of Musser family ownership. 

In 2010, the Musser family added the Trophy Room which celebrated their dog, Sadie.  Sadie, a Scottish Terrier won Best of Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Show. 

In 2019, having operated the Grand Hotel for nine decades, the Musser family decided to sell the business to KSL Capital Partners.  The new owners endeavored to preserve the legacy left behind by the Mussers.  Indeed, they have taken great care to preserve both their memory, as well as the greater history of the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island.

If you have never visited Mackinac Island, treat yourself to a wonderful experience.

and

Be sure to visit Holland, Michigan in May. when tulips are in full bloom

 for

Tulip Time Festival  

.. Beautiful Beds of Tulips at the Grand Hotel ..

Stacie and Roger Klossner 

❤️ ❤️ 

In September of 1973 the Riccio/Lewallen family moved from New Jersey to open the Olde Corner Deli at the former Lopresti's Corner Store.  For 49 years the Olde Corner Deli has been a staple and favorite stop in the Mayville area.

Since 1973 the Riccio/Lewallen & Klossner families have been friends so it seems only natural that after 49 years the Olde Corner Deli tradition now transfers to the Klossner family. 

We look forward to carrying on the many traditions of great subs and sandwiches, fresh baked roast beef, homemade sauce, cold cuts, salads, pickles, chips and drinks.

We invite you to stop by and enjoy!!

Roger, Stacie & Brendan Klossner 

Step onto this friendly porch when passing through Hartfield and these folks have you covered for lunch!

Don't forget the pickle!

 

Richard Chamberlain

(1934-2025)

George Richard Chamberlain was an award-winning American actor and singer who became a teen idol for his role as Dr. Kildare in the 1960s NBC medical drama.  He later earned the nickname "King of the Miniseries" for his roles in The Thorn Birds, Shogun and Centennial.  Chamberlain was also a respected theater actor, playing Captain von Trapp in The Sound of Music on Broadway and Hamlet at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre.

Richard Chamberlain poses with his newly unveiled star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame during ceremonies on February 29, 2000.

Chamberlain is survived by his longtime partner Martin Rabbett who said in a statement, "Our beloved Richard is with the angels now.  He is free and soaring to those loved ones before us.  How blessed were we to have known such an amazing and loving soul.  Love never dies.  And our love is under his wings lifting him to his next great adventure."

RIP Dr. Kildare

Dr. Kildare

Circa 1961-1966

Dr. James Kildare received 12,000 fan letters a week!

Dr. Leonard Gillespie played by Canadian actor, Raymond Massey in a scene 

from 

Dr. Kildare.

 Circa 1964

Richard didn't come out as a gay man until 2003 when he was 68 years of age in his book titled Shattered Love: A Memoir

"When I grew up, being gay, being a sissy or anythinglike that was verboten.  I disliked mself intensely and had to hit it and became "Perfect Richard, All-American Boy" as a place to hide. I actually feel sorry for people who have a lot of illusions in their about what gay is.  I mean, I know some gay people who are really wonderful people. 'Handsome' means many things to many people.  If people consider me handsome, I feel flattered -- and have my parents to thank for it. 

Richard lived on the Hawaiian island of O'ahu and died at his home in Waimanalo on March 29, 2025.  Waimanalo means "good water".  Wai meaning (water) and "manalo meaning (good or pleasant).

Aloha 

 

Charles Mann Hamilton

(1874-1942)

HAMILTON HOME

BUILT 1925 BY CHARLES & BERTHA HAMILTON.  

CHARLES ELECTED TO NYS ASSEMBLY 1906 AND NYS SENATE 1908 & 1910.  

SERVED IN US CONGRESS 1913-1919.

WILLIAM G. POMEROY FOUNDATION 2021

Charles M. Hamilton and his wife, Bertha lived in this home in Ripley, NY.  Charles was born in Ripley on January 23, 1874.  He attended the Ripley High School, the Fredonia Normal School and later the Pennsylvania Miltary College at Chester, PA. Established in 1821, Widener University was known as the Pennsylvania Military Colllege until 1972. Charles Hamilton was a prominent Republican politician.  After his political service he returned to Ripley to farm and tend to his business interests including the production of oil and natural gas in Kansas.  He passed in Miami Beach, Florida on January 3, 1942 and was buried in Quincy Cemetery in Ripley, New York.  

Mrs. Bertha Lamberton Hamilton (1875-1944).

Bertha was born in Franklin, PA (Venango County)

 to 

Robert and Luella Jane (Chess) Lamberton

Charles and Bertha Hamilton

The Hamilton Mansion

The Hamilton Mansion has 32 rooms designed around the Hamilton's world travels with incredible unique architecture.  The mansion was built in 1925 at a cost of $750,000* in a design boasted to satisfy the "whims and fancies of wealthy persons, their architects or both."  It was the property of former Representative, Charles M. and Mrs. Bertha Lamberton Hamilton.  The Mansion was originally comprised of 16 acres.  It has a 1,500 square foot brick and block building originally built for a clinic in 1949.

*$750,000 in 1925 is roughly equivalent to $10,200,000 in 2025.

Alf Landon

(1887-1987)

Charles Mann Hamilton knew Alfred "Alf" Mossman Landon through their mutual interest in oil and natural gas production. Landon was an American oilman and politician who served as the 26th Governor of Kansas from 1933-1937. A member of the Republican Party, he was the party's nominee in the 1936 presidental election and was defeated in a landslide by incumbent President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Landon passed on October 12, 1987 becoming the only presidential candidate from either of the major parties to live to the age of 100 until President Jimmy Carter in 2024. Landon, to date, is the only Republican candidate to do so. 

During WWI Landon served in the U.S. Army chemical warfare service. 

Alf Landon came to the Hamilton Mansion when he was running for president of the United States in 1936.  Charles and Bertha hosted Alf Landon at their home.

 

Benjamin Franklin Goodrich

(1841-1888)

Born in Ripley, New York 

B. F. Goodrich was an American industrialist in the tire industry and was founder of the B. F. Goodrich Company.  He was buried in the Lake View Cemetery in Jamestown, New York.  His parents were Anson Goodrich and Susannah Dinsmoor Goodrich.  On November 4, 1869 Goodrich married Mary Elizabeth Marvin.  They had 4 children .. Charles, Richard, Isabella and David.  Richard died in infancy. Charles became a Goodrich chemist and a member of the Maine Legislature.  David became a Goodrich executive and Isabella married John Breckinridge II, grandson of John Breckinridge (former Vice President of the United States under James Buchanan).

Another famous name from Ripley, New York was Charles Mann Hamilton who built the Hamilton Mansion which is now a B&B and event center.   Charles and Bertha Lamberton Hamilton will be featured in a follow-up story.  

After B. F. Goodrich's death, his wife hired architect Guy Lowell in 1905 to design a 32 room mansion known as River House in York, Maine.  His widow died at age 65 in April of 1907 and is buried in Lake View Cemetery along side her husband, B. F. Goodrich.

River House

York, Maine

The River House is a 26 acre estate facing the York River and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. It is one of Maine's most architecturally distinctive and unusual early 20th-century summer estate houses.  The River House has a guest cottage, a barn and two "play houses". The original house was destroyed by a fire in 1925, but firefighters were able to save much of the original contents.  One wing of the building survived the fire and that wing was incorporated into the rebuilding of the new River house along with some of the surviving brick walls of the original brick structure according to the information provided guests by the local historical society. The property was given to Bowdoin College by granddaughter, Mary Marvin Breckinridge Patterson in 1974 and the college operated it as a conference center until it was sold into private hands in 2004.  

Advertisment for Goodrich Silvertown Tires

Circa 1920

In 1869, Dr. Benjamin Franklin Goodrich purchased the Hudson River Rubber Company, a small business in Hastings-on Hudson, New York.  The following year Dr. Goodrich accepted an offer of $13,600 from the citizens of Akron, Ohio to relocate his business there.  

The company grew to be one of the largest tire and rubber manufacturers in the world, helped in part by the 1986 merger with Uniroyal.  This product line was sold to Frenh company, Michelin in 1988. During the 1970s, Goodrich ran television and print ads to distinguish themselves from the similar-sounding Goodyear tire company.  The tag line was "We're the other guys. Remember?"  The company was also sometimes confused with Mr. Goodwrench as the two last names were similar especially since B. F. Goodrich tires were featured on many General Motors cars and trucks. 

Who Knew?

B. F. Goodrich sold radios from the 1930s to the 1950s under the brand name "Mantola".  These radios were actually made by a variety of manufacturers for B. F. Goodrich. Goodrich ranked 67th among United States corporations in the value of WWII military production contracts.  

In August 1986, one of the biggest competitors in the tire business, Uniroyal Inc. was taken private when it merged with the tire segment of the B. F. Goodrich Company, in a joint venture private partnership to become the Uniroyal Goodrich Tire Company.  B. F. Goodrich Company held a 50% stake in the new tire company.  The new Uniroyal Goodrich Tire Company headquarters was established at the former B. F. Goodrich corporate headquarters within its 27 building downtown complex in Akron, Ohio which contained Goodrich's original factory.  In the autumn of 1987 B. F. Goodrich Company shut down several manufacturing operationsat the site and most of the complex remained facant until February 1988 when B. F. Goodrich announced plans to sell the vacant par of the complex to the Covington Capital Corporation, a group of New York developers.  The complex is now known as Canal Place.

GENERAL OFFICES
THE B. F. GOODRICH COMPANY

In 2021, a group of Akron/Cleveland investors purchased buildings #10 and #17 and converted them into 139 high-end residences known as "The Goodrich" which opened in the summer of 2022. Canal Park, a baseball stadium with 8,500 seats was also built on the site of the former Anthony Wayne Hotel which was razed in 1996.

By the end of WWII the site had grown to become the largest rubber factory in the world emcompassing over 90 buildings and 3 million sq. ft. of space.  At its peak, the complex was a self-contained city with its own fire, police and medical services which included the first telephone system in Akron.  Goodrich was the first in Akron to own a telephone, which was a gift from Alexander Graham Bell in 1877.  The telephone connected Goodrich's home on Quaker Street to his factory on Rubber Street. 

 

The Iconic B. F. Goodrich Smokestacks

Built in 1925, B. F. Goodrich's Building No. 41 at 388 S. Main Street was the northernmost of several that composed the company's Akron complex, where 15,000 employees once made an array of rubber products including billions of rubber bands, as well as

 John Glen's spacesuit!  They built spacesuits for NASA astronauts in the 1960s!

Glenn's spacesuit and the Friendship 7 capsule are at the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. 

"Although Colonel Glenn traveled alone in his 81,000-mile journey, the thoughts and prayers of millions were with him."

The Beacon Journal 

Circa 1962

"It was a day of glory for a brave man and for the nation whose prestige and honor he carried into space."

Thank you to The B. F. Goodrich Company

Colonel John Glenn

Circa 1962

Sidenote:  Goodrich let astronauts suggest what they wanted in the way of pockets explained by Wayne Galloway, spacesuit production manager for Goodrich in 1962.  "Glenn wanted two zipper pockets below his knees and one on his thigh. In this he carries surgical shears to be used in an emergency to cut himself out of his suit and safety belt.  One other pocket is a slit on the right shoulder for his hankey."

The B. F. Goodrich Co. designed and built the silver spacesuit John Glenn wore on Feb. 20, 1962 as the first American to orbit the Earth. He orbited the planet aboard the Mercury space capsule, Friendship 7.  He became a national hero when he made three trips around the world, traveling 83,450 miles in four hours and 55 minutes.  Goodrich made every spacesuit worn by Project Mercury's seven original astronauts.  The other brave astronauts were Alan Shepard, Gus Grissom, Scott Carpenter, Walter Schirra, Gordon Cooper and Donald "Deke" Slayton.  In 1959, NASA agreed to buy 20 suits from Goodrich for $75,000 or approximately $3,750 each.  Today, that would be $583,249 or $29,000 apiece!  

Glenn and Schirra were the first to be fitted, arriving in Akron in October 1959.  Dressed in civilian clothes, they dined with 40 workers in Goodrich's cafeteria and left that same day.  The five other astronauts soon followed.  

The B. F.Goodrich Company can actually trace their history of its space garb to 1934 when famed pilot, Wiley Post ordered a high-altitude suit.  Goodrich worker, Russell S. Colley designed the pressurized garmet from balloon fabric and is wife, Dorothy stitched it together on her sewing machine! Goodrich named Colley the engineer of the Mercury spacesuit project.  The Beacon Journal called him "the first tailor of the Space Age".

Goodrich built a stainlesss-steel chamber at its research center to test spacesuits in a vacuum.  The room mixed hydrogen, nitogen, argon and oxygen to simulate high altitudes. The spacesuits weight 20 pounds, not counting the long underwear that astronauts wore.  Oxygen was pumped in through a waist connection.

None of the original "Mercury 7" astronauts who were selected by NASA in 1959, are alive today. 

Thank you, Gentlemen.  Job Well Done

RIP

🛞 🛞 🛞 

Akron became known as the "Rubber Capitol of the World".

Lena M. Joseph's employee card

Service Date May 6, 1933

The factories of The B. F. Goodrich Co. in Akron Ohio

Largest rubber plant in the world. Two miles around the grounds, with 15,000 employees.  Seventy-Five acres of floor space.

Sidenote:  Your blog writer grew up outside of Ripley and graduated from Ripley Central School so it is no wonder I wouldn't include a blog story about Ripley's hometown boy whose name was Benjamin Franklin Goodrich.  And yes, there is a street named .. Goodrich.  The parades used to form up on Goodrich which included the Ripley Central School marching band led by Lyman Wood.  I played clarinet.