Washington Hotel

ebook History of Watertown, Wisconsin

Washington Hotel and Café

Washington Inn

516 E Main

click to enlarge

1875

It was built and owned by Herman Schroeter. In 1875 it became the property of Fred Kronitz who was the father of the late H. W. (Pete) Kronitz.

1875 PURCHASED BY FRED KRONITZ

Conducted hotel for the next 27 years (1875-1902)

WDT obit, 07 09 1915: Fred Kronitz, a prominent citizen of Watertown for many years and a former resident of the town of Lebanon, died at his home in Watertown Tuesday evening, June 29, 1915, at the age of 69 years.

Mr. Kronitz was born in the town of Lebanon, March 29, 1846 and having lived in Dodge and Jefferson counties during his life of more than sixty-nine years, he was one of the oldest citizens of this section in point of residence. He was a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Henry Kronitz of the town of Lebanon.

On June 23, 1870, Mr. Kronitz took Miss Minnie Gorder as his bride, the wedding taking place at the home of the bride’s parents in town of Waterloo. For the next year the young people resided in the town of Lebanon and spent four years on the old Gorder homestead in the town of Waterloo.

It was in October, 1875 that Mr. and Mrs. Kronitz moved to Watertown and purchased the Washington House, and Mr. Kronitz conducted a hotel at the present site, corner of Main and North Sixth streets for the next twenty-seven years, retiring thirteen years ago.

The surviving relatives are two sons and one daughter, the widow and one brother. The sons are Louis Kronitz and Henry W. Kronitz and the daughter is Mrs. Ida Nowack all of Watertown. The brother is Mr. Carl Kronitz. Six grandchildren also survive.

1905

04 06 ADDITION TO HOTEL

Henry Kronitz, landlord of the Washington Hotel on Main Street, has razed the old frame building adjoining his hotel and will erect an addition to his hostelry. The new structure will be 24x32, two stories high. This part of the hotel will be fitted up for an office on the ground floor and the upper floor used for sleeping compartments. Modern improvements will be put into the entire building. The cost is anticipated to be about $4500. Steam heat and electric lighting will be put in the entire building. — The rapidly increasing patronage of this popular hotel makes these improvements necessary.

1915

06 29 FRED KRONITZ DEATH

Fred Kronitz, a prominent citizen of Watertown for many years and a former resident of the town of Lebanon, died at his home in Watertown Tuesday evening, June 29, 1915, at the age of 69 years.

It was in October, 1875 that Mr. and Mrs. Kronitz moved to Watertown and purchased the Washington House, and Mr. Kronitz conducted a hotel at the present site, corner of Main and North Sixth streets for the next twenty-seven years, retiring thirteen years ago.

1926

03 26 ADDITION TO HOTEL

Contract for Washington Hotel Addition Awarded to Maas Bros.

Henry Kronitz, proprietor and manager of the Washington Hotel, stated that work will soon begin and is to be completed within four months.

The addition together with alterations in the present structure will convert the building into a new hotel with all the latest improvements and design.

The size of the hotel will be 70 x 120 feet, the new addition being in the shape of an "L" running along the west side of the present building and then along the rear of the present hotel to North Sixth street. It will be a two-story structure.

The front, according to the plans, will be of the colonial type with small plate glass windows and shutters and variegated brick effect. will have a front middle entrance and the front west corner will contain a store which will be for rent, according to Mr. Kronitz.

The lobby will be of an entirely new type. It will contain a huge fireplace and will be furnished in a manner that will bespeak comfort and homelike surroundings. There will also be a writing room, a ladies restroom together with Tiffany and ornamental work, such as panels, etc. The woodwork in the lobby will be of antique finish and design. In addition, there will be baths and showers, lavatories finished in white enamel and white tile walls. All bathroom floors will be of white tile as will also the lobby. This work will be laid under the direction of Clas, Shepherd & Clas, Milwaukee, the architects of the building.

Raue & Sons Co. have been awarded the painting and decorating work, according to Albert W. Maas, Jr. He also announced that the work for excavating by steam shovel has been awarded to Lehmann Bros. Outside of these additional contracts no others were announced at this time by Mr. Maas.

The basement will contain a boiler room, ash pit, water softener, laundry and drying rooms and an incinerator. The lockers for the help will also be in the basement. There will also be six storerooms and a number of other compartments necessary to a modern hotel.

While the plans as announced by the architects included an estimated outlay of $35,000, the entire work together with furnishings will run close to $58,000.

Mr. Kronitz, or "Pete" as he is best known to Watertown residents as well as to a great share of the traveling public that comes here, has had unusual success in conducting and building up the Washington hotel. The new addition and the complete remodeling is necessary to his business so that he may continue to meet the ever increasing demand by the public.

Mr. Kronitz has always served well and the new hotel will not only be a credit to his ability and management but it will be a credit to the community it serves. Being well located on the principal street in the city it will be a welcome sight to that part of town and will serve to meet Watertown's hotel problem. WDTimes 03 26 1926

c.1940

1943

1956

04 20 HENRY W. KRONITZ (05 24 1878 – 04 20 1956)

“Pete" Kronitz, Retired Hotel Operator, Dies

H. W. (Pete) Kronitz, 77, of 902 South Eighth Street, died late last night at his home while seated in a chair listening to the Milwaukee Braves - St. Louis baseball game broadcast over the radio. He was found this morning by his son-in-law, E. F. Lemmerhirt, city treasurer, when he arose and heard the radio playing. He went to investigate and found Mr. Kronitz dead in the chair. A heart attack was given as the cause of death.

Mr. Kronitz had listened to the game after other members of the household retired for the night. He usually went to bed when the game ended and it is assumed that he died before the game came to a close last night because the radio was playing when he was found this morning.

Retired in 1947

Mr. Kronitz was one of Watertown’s most widely known men. He operated the Washington Hotel until his retirement on July 1, 1947, after 41 years in the hotel business.

At that time he sold the business to Richard T. Muhs of Burlington, Wis., who later sold it to its present owners and operators Mr. and Mrs. Fred Roberts.

Mr. Kronitz was born in the hotel on May 24, 1878, a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Fred Kronitz. His father was then operating the place.

Mr. Kronitz was a lifelong resident of Watertown and attended St. Mark’s Christian Day School and Northwestern College.

He was married to Miss Emma Christensen here on Sept. 28, 1901, by the late Rev. John Brockmann. She survives as do a daughter, Mrs. Lemmerhirt, this city; a grandson, Richard H. Lemmerhirt, Kohler, Wis., and two grandchildren, Heidi and Lisa Lemmerhirt.

A brother, Louis A. Kronitz, for many years city assessor here, and a sister, Mrs. Otto Nowack, preceded Mr. Kronitz in death.

He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church.

The funeral will be Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock in St. John’s Church, the Rev. E. F. Quandt officiating. Interment will be in Oak Hill Cemetery.

Friends may pay their respects at the Schmutzler Funeral Home Monday from 3 to 9 p.m and up to 10 a.m. on Tuesday. The body will be in state at the church after 11 a.m. Tuesday.

Aside from his other interests, baseball and horses were his hobbies. Mr. Kronitz was active in early day baseball in Watertown and retained an interest in it throughout his life. His friendships and acquaintances extended many men in baseball circles.

Among traveling men he had a wide circle of friends and many of them dropped in year after year to be his guests at his hotel. Many were from distant states who made Watertown their business stop during their regular travels.

Mr. Kronitz was one of the boosters of. the old Watertown Inter-County Fair which closed here in the middle 1920s. He regularly raced horses here and at other fairs and followed that sport as an active participant for many years.

As a hotel operator Mr. Kronitz was a first-rate host. He had a friendly and pleasing personality and was at ease in a crowd. He liked people and he enjoyed having them about. He was a good story teller and possessed a warm and friendly disposition and a sense of humor. He was the kind of man of whom it could be said that “it was a pleasure to meet up with.”

The Washington Hotel which Mr. Kronitz operated for so many years dates back to 1855. It was known first as the Washington House and was built by Herman Schroeder. In 1875 the late Fred, Kronitz acquired it. It was destroyed by fire a year later and in 1877 was rebuilt.

When “Pete’ Kronitz took it over he made extensive improvements and in more recent years he carried out a large building project which more than doubled its capacity. He built it into a modern hotel.

It can be said that people in all walks of life here and elsewhere who knew and respected Mr. Kronitz were saddened by his death.

10 06 HUB FOR THE ONION SHIPMENTS

Some of Watertown's parking restriction involving trucks, notable in the Old Armory area, are tending to threaten local business. The issue came into the open when it was announced that a large fleet of trucks will be operating out of the city in the next three months as a result of the “onion kings” - Brand Bros. Produce Co. of Atlanta, Ga., again setting up their headquarters here at the Hotel Washington. Brand Bros. are making this the hub of the onion shipments from Wisconsin and they will be shipping an estimated 1,000 carloads of onions from here to all parts of the nation.

1957c

City assessor form,. WHS_006_074a, image, WHS_006_074b

1959

02 13 INTEREST IN HOTEL OFFER

An Oconomowoc promotion group, representing Oconomowoc business men, is interested in a new hotel offer recently made in Watertown to the city of Watertown and if this city does not act in the matter there is a strong possibility that Oconomowoc may land the new hotel facility. Fred Roberts, owner and operator of the Hotel Washington, who brought the hotel matter to the attention of Watertown officials and business men last year, was in Oconomowoc yesterday afternoon and met with the interested group there. He reports that there is great interest in the hotel plans and that every effort is to be made to secure a site suitable for the hotel. WDT

1964

10 04 FRED ROBERTS OWNER

Announcement was made today by Fred Roberts that he has acquired ownership of the Hotel Washington Building at 516 Main Street. The hotel has been operated for many years by Hotel Washington, Inc., a corporation which had been owned by the Roberts interests until January, 1962 at which time Mr. and Mrs. Everett C. Curtiss of Virginia, Minn., acquired the corporation and operated the hotel until Oct. 1 of this year. They have returned to Minnesota. WDT

1968

02 26 SALE OF THE WASHINGTON INN

Announcement is made today of the sale of the Washington Inn, Main and North Sixth Streets, a corporation headed by Daniel Edward Bellack of Chicago and Antioch, Il. The corporation is the Washington Inn Corporation of Watertown. The purchase was made from Fred Roberts, who owns and operates the inn. Roberts took over the operation of the hotel in October of 1964 form Mr. and Mrs. Everett C. Curtis of Virginia, Minn., who had taken over from Roberts in January of 1962. Extensive improvements will be made at the inn. A meeting or banquet hall which will accommodate 100 persons is being arranged on the first floor to the west. The present dining room is being enlarged, and changes will be made in the bar room. WDT

06 16 EDDIE ALLYN

Eddie Allyn, resident manager of the Washington Inn here is leaving that position to become a vocalist with the famed Glenn Miller Orchestra. Allyn, who has established a record as a singer and entertainer, will join the orchestra in Boston. He will remain with the organization throughout the summer tour. Mr. Allyn has been resident manager of the Washington Inn since it was purchased from Col. Fred N. Roberts earlier this year. WDT

08 18 SALE OF THE WASHINGTON INN

Several important changes in the operation of the Washington Inn at 516 Main Street were announced today by Dan Bellack, head of Washington Inn, Inc., which purchased the hotel from Col. Fred N. Roberts last winter. The changes will become effective on Monday. Mr. and Mrs. Jack Biefeld will assume operation and management of the barroom, Mrs. Darlene Biefeld having been associated with the hotel for many years as a waitress and who is known to have the hotel’s clientele as a most efficient and friendly person. Irma Jergins, also with the hotel for many years, will serve as the hotel operator. Col. Roberts, his wife and their daughter, Barbara, will leave shortly for Phoenix, Ariz., where they plan to make their home. The daughter is enrolled as a student at the University of Arizona. WDT

1970

11 07 WASHINGTON INN SOLD

The Washington Inn, 516 Main Street, has been sold. The hotel has been sold to Archie Johnson and his sons, Donald and David, of Milwaukee, present owners of the Carlton House Apartment Hotel.

The purchase was made from the Washington Inn Corporation of Watertown which is headed by Daniel Chicago. E. Bellack of Chicago.

Johnson and his two sons plan some renovations to the Inn in order to operate it similar to the Carlton which is an apartment hotel.

Johnson said that he believed the additional housing is necessary and added that the Carlton has been enjoying a high rate of occupancy since the Johnson trio has taken over and started operating the facility for permanent guests. Johnson said that a restaurant and cocktail lounge will open shortly in the Carlton.

Speaking on the renovations to the Inn, Johnson explained that the facility will remain in operation during the renovation program which is expected to take from six to 12 months. He said the renovation project will be such that the apartments will be larger in the Washington than they are in the Carleton.

The Washington Inn has had a long history. It was first known as the Washington House, a stopping place for travelers, both coming by coach and later by train.

It was built and owned by Herman Schroeter. In 1875 it became the property of Fred Kronitz who was the father of the late H. W. (Pete) Kronitz. He owned it only two years when it was destroyed by fire, in 1877. He promptly re-built it, larger than the original structure.

2014

04 14 FIRE AT HOTEL

Officer’s quick action helps residents get out during fire

No one was injured in a small fire at the Washington Inn, 516 E. Main St. Watertown Police Officer Scott Kind was at the hotel at approximately 10 p.m. doing a verification check at the inn when he smelled smoke in the building, followed the smoke to a room that was unoccupied and alerted the fire department and other police officers and began an evacuation.

The building did not have a fire alarm system; there was a smoke detector in the room where the fire began, but it was not working at the time of the fire. A smoke detector in the hallway was working. It is believed that the fire was started by a candle on the floor next to the sofa in the room. Emergency officials also evacuated the Firecracker Pub which shares a building with the Washington Inn.

2019

06 12 PUBLIC SAFETY CONCERNS

Public safety concerns around 516 E. Main Street. Discussion took place regarding a citizen’s concern over this property being a public nuisance. The property manager along with the Police Chief spoke on the background of the property and calls related to the business. Management has added security cameras as well as performing background checks on potential new residents. This item with be reviewed in the fall with the Police Chief, the citizen and management of this business to address any new/recurring items. Council proceedings

Table of Contents

History of Watertown, Wisconsin

Index