Mystery Hotel (*updated)

Several years ago, I found this picture at a flea market and for some reason, it captivated me. I bought the matted black & white photograph for $1.25, without any information about it. It was simply an old photo in a bin of old photos, unlabeled. I was transfixed by the scene captured by the photographer: Two men stand in the lobby of what appears to be a hotel; they are posed as if they are waiting for guests to check in; the detail in the shot is remarkable, even under a magnifying glass. Here's what I can tell you about the photo, thanks to the help of a small, 8x magnifying photographer's lupe:

-There is no signage (that I can decipher) clearly stating the name of the place, however one of the calendars on the wall is from "THE IOWA STATE TRAVELING MEN'S ASS'N." I couldn't tell you what that means, or even if that necessarily puts this hotel in Iowa.

-Based on the other calendars, the photo was taken on August 2, 1920 at 10:16 in (what I'm assuming was) the morning.

-There are four visible spitoons on the floor.

-"7-20-4" Brand Cigars are for sale in the display case at the front desk. These were Union Made cigars produced in Manchester, NH. They were .10 cents each.

-The two men might be related, but it's hard to tell if the younger man is the son of the older man. Both appear to be employees of the hotel.

-Based on the wear on the floor and the overall look of the accumulated clutter on the front desk, I don't think this picture was celebrating the opening of a new hotel. It looks to be at least twenty or thirty years old by the time this photo was taken.

-There are more clues. Click the thumbnail below to see the notes I added to the scanned photo.

I know some of you are mystery solvers out there. I've been working on this one off and on for about five years. Every time I look at the photo, I scan it for more clues. Anyone think they can solve it?

Any other observations?

Mystery Hotel,
originally uploaded by ShaneNickerson.

Click here for the larger version.

*MEME ALERT

-Wil Wheaton e-mailed me and suggested I also turn this into a creative writing meme. I like that idea. Take another look at the largest version of the picture and if you're feeling inspired, write a <300 word entry about it, and then trackback. If we can't crack the mystery, we can invent one.

1. Otis' Story

2. Peter DeWolf's Story

3. Aaron Engulsrud's story

I'll post developments after the cut....

*OTHER LEADS, CLUES AND OBSERVATIONS:

-This info from Joanne:

"Wild goose chase or helpful info I don't know, but this is what I found:

First of all, having worked in the hotel industry for over 10 years, I am guessing that HOL stands for Hotel Occupancy Levy.

After doing some searching on the web, there is a slight possibility that it could be the Hotel Holly in Haswell, CO. (Now known as the Haswell Hotel.)

Coincidences:

- The town was incorporated on August 2, 1920, which would justify the reason for a picture to be taken on that date.

- It is stated (in the linked pages below) that a brass chandelier is one of the few furnishings of the early Hotel Holly which still remain. I can't tell from your photo if it is brass, but it looks possible.

- The picture of the outside of the hotel could possibly match what we see of the inside.

- It states that there are (still to this day) horseshoe prints on the floor and stairs. I can't see the floor clear enough from my view of the picture, but you should be able to with a magnifying glass."

-According to some google searching:

"The Iowa State Traveling Men's Association was one of the nation's first insurance companies to provide protection for men who traveled for business."

By 1920, it seems the ISTMA was a National Insurance organization, which means that the hotel could be anywhere. However, further searching leads me to believe that the "Traveling Men's Ass'n" was similar to a masonic organization, with different branches around the country. Perhaps the hotel was (is) in Iowa.

-And this just in from Magazine Man:

Wish I had a hi-enough res image to be able to see the detail you can see, but you provided some good info.

My best guess, after three hours, is that this was a hotel somewhere in Scottsville, Virginia. I was going to guess it was the Traveler's Rest, although based on what I read of the history, it was considered a family-friendly place, and this joint obviously catered to the many traveling salesmen of the day (hence the secretary desks on the right side--the rooms were like extremely utilitarian and may have been too small to accommodate more than a bed. Although my mom pointed out that my great-grandmother used to earn money by sitting at such secretary desks in such hotels and doing freelance secretarial work for the salesmen that stayed there). And there was a father-son team operating on the premises, but they apparently ran a hardware store out of the first floor, whereas the hotel started one flight up. They may not be the father-son team, there's nothing to tell whether this was a 2nd floor lobby or not.

Really, my only other link is the calendar from the drug store. I'm 99 percent sure that's from a local business (why bother advertising a pharmacy an ailing traveler couldn't reach on foot?), and there WAS a pharmacist in Scottsville named Thomas E. Bruce. Could that "&" you saw be an "E"? It's a tenuous link, because locals knew the place as Bruce's Drug Store, but in ads and promotional calendars, it was not uncommon for the proprietor to use his full name.

Oh wait, forgot one more thing: Scottsdale has been flooded nearly two dozen times since the 1870s. And just LOOK at the high-water pants on the guy in front of the counter! Clearly this was a man who lived in a community where trouser cuffs were easily moistened, hence the geekily high cuffs.

Yeah, yeah, that last one was a joke. This place is clearly down at the heels, a long way from its late Victorian origins (look at the ceiling and the chandeliers) and I'm guessing these guys didn't have much spare coin for things like new pants. But Scottsdale DID get flooded a lot.

Here's a link to the history of the town.

http://avenue.org/smuseum/ourhistory/home.html

One last thing: a photographer pal tells me that photogs of the time often put names and locations on the backs of the photos. Unless it was matted recently, you'll almost certainly damage the photo trying to peel it off the matte, but someone knowledgeable in handling historical documents might have some solution.

Also, if the photog matted the print himself, he may have written info on the matte itself and over time the writing faded into the black. Have you scanned the matte with your loupe or checked it under special lights like they have on CSI?

Sure would love to get a higher-res image, though. When I download the large vesion off flickr, I can zoom in close enough to read the words on anything. I guess it would take a large file indeed to get me the detail I'd like, but if I'd gladly accept it if you were willing to send a larger file.

Interesting theories. Here was my response to some of his speculation:

Actually, there is a staircase leading down underneath the visible stairs. The fact that there are no windows, nor any light pouring in from behind the photographer (where street level doors and windows might be), leads me to believe that this may actually be a second floor lobby. Magnification tells me that there are about 40 cubbies (for room keys?), so it may be a 30-40 room hotel, although that's speculation. This doesn't look like a high class joint though. It seems more like an older version of a Motel 6.

As for the calendar, it could well be an "E." Here's a problem with your theory though:

Scottsville Museum

According to that site, "Thomas E. Bruce" was the son of Ellison Bruce. Ellison would have been the proprietor in 1920, and I doubt he would have used any other name. Also, and I'm not sure if this is a consideration, but Scottsdale in August in a hotel which undoubtedly did not have cooled air may not have allowed the men to dress as they are dressed. Then again, I'm no expert on the custom of the time. Maybe men dressed in full suits regardless of the air temperature.

We'll solve it. I'm sure of it.

Comments

[Todd]

The whole concept of spitoons fasinates me. How cool would it be to have seen them in action?

[paul s]

this is a great picture... but i think it would lose a lot of its potency if you found out where it's from, etc... wouldn't you rather not know so you can always wonder?

[sirfwalgman]

Sort of looks like the picture from the Shining.. if two girls with big wheeles show up RUN LIKE HELL!

[eppel]

There's something expectant and creepy about this photo. The row of chairs and row of writing desks, back to back, the general emptiness and the two men staring at the camera. Very Kubrick Shiningesque. Brrrr

[Pete DeWolf]

Apparently trackbacks don't work with Blogger.

Bastards.

However, I took you up on the <300 words challenge...

http://www.islemadame.com/blog/2006/04/nickerblogs-mystery-hotel.html

[Aaron Engelsrud]

Here is my attempt at the <300 word challenge. I hope it is enjoyable. I'm not really sure, I'm still really working on learning how to write well. I thought this was a good chance to get some feedback.

http://engelsrud.com/?p=53

Let me know what you think...

Aaron

[BBOCK]

Well, I'm probably stating the obvious, but it's probably a men's hotel in downtown Des Moines. (I used to live there.) Several of the old hotels are still there, although in varying states of decay. It might be the Randolph hotel. (Not a place you'd want to stay, last I saw.) It was a hotel that catered to men in town for short periods of time. When I lived there, it was a low rate transient hotel.

I doubt any out of state organization would have a calendar for that association, so I think it's safe to say it's from Iowa. I'd start by contacting some historians there. Drake University has a historic collection. You might start there.

http://www.lib.drake.edu/heritage/odm/

You also could consider the Iowa Historical Society:
http://www.iowahistory.org/

Or the Des Moines Historical Society:
http://www.dmhs.org/

With any luck, it's a historic site that's been preserved.

Have you looked on the back side of the photo? Or looked for an indication of the photographer?

I found this info about the Iowa State Traveling Men's Association. It might have been an insurance company for traveling salesmen.

http://www.iptv.org/IowaPathways/myPath.cfm?ounid=ob_000028

I've run into references of traveling associations for other states as well. The fact that it was an insurance program is proved by a Supreme Court case that bears its name and is cited in other insurance related cases.

Then I found a document that refers to that organization as having 235 lodges. So, perhaps it's like a YMCA meets Masons for Traveling Sales Men. Dunno.

http://wcfia.harvard.edu/papers/270__patpart.pdf

So I'm a bit perplexed. But I bet if you contacted one of the history organizations in Des Moines, they might be able to put you on the right track.

Good hunting.

[BBOCK]

D'Oh. I didn't see the additional information you posted. LOL. Read, Brian. Grrr.

It's not a second story lobby. A lot of the old downtown storefronts in Des Moines are very deep and narrow boxes. The windows and door are behind the camera.

[Kate]

How fun... It is like those "Story Starters" we used to get in elementary school. Can I be in the Bluebird Group?

http://katedanley.livejournal.com/244171.html

[drsingle]

A quick stab at the story:

http://frankiedean.blogspot.com/2006/04/hotel.html

[Philip]

Every search i do seems to always lead back to a place called Thomasville for some reason.

Then i found there was a drugstore called Thomas & Dickinson i think.

Could make sense cos its in/near iowa (i dont know american geography, im irish).

The cigars i cant yet explain, although theres every chance that someone there just happened to like that brand.

I also read on one of the sites that thomasville is famous for having hotels spring up around that area a few years before.

[Dariush]

After a bit of research, I found out that the Iowa State Traveling Men's Association is actually an insurance company providing life insurance for men on the road...

So this does indeed sound like a men's hotel for businessmen and salesmen passing through...

I'll keep up the research, and I'll take a look at it with a bigger lupe at work.

[Christine ROBERT]

Here is my 300-word-story. I really enjoyed the picture. Turns on the imagination. Christine.
http://20six.fr/bettychristine/art/1193304

[Scratch]

Googling 7-20-4 certainly identifies the Cigar company in question ( http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_rlg4414/is_DCLC0011/ai_n15497180 ) Pretty amazing...

7-20-4 ? Sounds like 7-24 to me.... All day long. Everyday. Sort of an 'everyday' cigar?

[Ellie]

Ooh, this is nifty! Here's my story:

http://bad-latin.livejournal.com/22777.html#cutid1

[Reddy]

If they knew that the picture was going to be taken - people in those days would get out their best clothes to where. So you can figure this isn't the high dollar hotel due to the guy in front not having a matching suit. Back in 1920 you didn't waste film.

I love that ceiling - I bet it tin type.

The question that I keep trying to figure out is are the chairs facing the other way?? There has to be something for people to sit & watch instead of looking at the counter.

What does the all of the signs on the wall say?? they may be the best clue. Usually something local will pass out those things. The cigars will the owers fav or what he could get cheap & resell (or pass out for doing business)

I'm betting it is just small town downtown hotel where you have stores on both sides so no windows until you get above the building next to them. The owner is behind the desk/counter & the only bellboy is the one up front.

[steve]

This is lots of fun.
Can you post a higher res scan?

[Philip]

It may indeed have no windows. If you look at the shadows in the picture, they arent all facing the same way, which they would if it was the sun creating it. They are all facing directions that would mean its the camera flash creating them.

With regards to the chairs facing the wrong way, id say you're right about there being something to look at. A piani? A Duel? A dansel in distress? Who knows....

[adiav]

Also, and I'm not sure if this is a consideration, but Scottsdale in August in a hotel which undoubtedly did not have cooled air may not have allowed the men to dress as they are dressed. Then again, I'm no expert on the custom of the time. Maybe men dressed in full suits regardless of the air temperature.

I'm fairly sure that in 1920 people would be wearing their better or more formal clothes for a staged photograph - regardless of heat. Even if they, or the hotel, were more lower class, or run down, they still had to look respectable, and present a better image.

So unfortunately I doubt their gear lends much to figuring out the location in this instance.

[Mark Leslie]

What an intriguing photo and great participation in unraveling the mystery behind it. I couldn't resist trying to come up with my own story for the photo, and had a blast doing so.

Thanks for the fun mystery and challenge.

[Leah]

Very cool photo. My neighbor growing up in Georgia had a spittoon in the floor. It was completely disgusting. But so was the black chewing tobacco juice that sometimes dribbled down his chin. He was in his 80's after all.

[kim]

I went WAY over the 300-word limit. And upon reviewing the notes on the pictures, it looks like I also played with the ages some. But here's my stab at it.

http://queencallipygos.livejournal.com/217347.html#cutid1

[Steve Wissnard]

anyone with information on the iowa state travelling mens association please email me at swiss_am@hotmail.com

[Craig McCue]

I have a postcard of the Randolph Hotel lobby in Des Moines, and it doesn't look anything like this. Plus, the Randolph was built in 1920.

However, another hotel lobby looks remarkably similar -- the Wellington. If you do a Google search for '"Hotel Wellington" "Des Moines" postcard lobby', you'll find several postcards of the lobby, featuring the tiled ceiling and the Ionic columns. Most telling, though, is the curved entablature above the column in both pictures. Also, the Wellington does date to the turn of the 20th century.

(I'd provide a link to the postcards, but they are typically listed for sale, and may disappear -- a couple of them are on eBay, though)

I suspect that this picture is of an alcove from the lobby (in most of the pictures you can just make out such an alcove with a series of steps on the second floor). The Wellington was fairly well-to-do early in it's history, but it could have gotten run down a bit by 1920.

I have two different views of the postcards, and can email scans to someone if they'd like.