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ebook History of Watertown, Wisconsin
Savage's
Hall
Van Alstine's Exchange Hotel
Germania
House
NE corner of Main and First streets
Later site of Merchant’s
Bank
Jacob
Bell Van Alstine
Henry Gilman of Madison, whose father built the first
dam and erected the first sawmill here in the late 30’s of 1800, came Saturday
[1911
Homecoming] and called on “Fabe” Cooley, who was his playmate in
1840. They together caught bullheads
near the sawmill that General John C. Gilman
built. The “Exchange” or Van Alstine
Hotel was also erected by Gen. Gilman.
He sawed lumber and floated it down Rock River to build houses at Jefferson
and Fort Atkinson. Watertown Gazette,
08 10 1911
Cross References:
[1]
WGazette, 02 20 1913:
Henry Gilman, a former resident of Watertown, died at Madison last
Saturday, aged 85 years. He was a son of
the late J. C. Gilman, an early resident of this city and builder of the Van
Alstine Hotel that formerly stood on the site of the Merchants National Bank
building.
[2] “Mr. Gilman (a
tavern keeper) at Watertown [Charles Gilman, owner of the Exchange Hotel,
the first hotel in Watertown] enlisted his son [in Mexican War],
a lad 14 years old, as a musician. His
poor Mother is almost crazy. Likely he
is dead. Report says they were first and
foremost in the battle, and were all killed.” 1847 letter portion.
Image
WHS_005_773
Van Alstine
Hotel [same as Exchange Hotel or Van Alstine Exchange Hotel] c.1860
This
building was moved in the 1890’s and is now part of the M&M Bar on S. First
St.
Note
Bank of Watertown, to the left, west of hotel.
Site later occupied by WTTN Radio.
1840
07
04 LOCATION OF FIRST CELEBRATION OF FOURTH OF JULY IN WATERTOWN
Among the
means taken to appropriately celebrate the day was through the medium of a
great ball which was held in Savage's
hall, later known as Van Alstine's Exchange and the site on which now
stands the Merchants National bank at the corner of North First and Main
streets. Savage's hall or tavern was the
only building here at the time suitable for an occasion of this kind and it is
said that the construction of it had to be hurried along so that a proper ball
room could be had for the dancers "who were expected from all around the
country."
Another
account in the archives of early Watertown gives additional information
concerning this great event and lists also the things
which the people in attendance had to eat.
But to quote at length:
"Our
pyrotechnics were limited, but firing an anvil, ringing cowbells and shooting
guns were the channels through which our patriotic feelings gave vent. For the Fourth of
July dinner we were satisfied with baked pig, mashed potatoes
and baked pudding. For want of room in
the hostelry, the tables were set out of doors, under arbors built of poles
with bushes laid across them. Dancing
commenced at 2 o'clock in the afternoon and continued until broad-light
the next morning. The ballroom, although
not plastered, was made to look handsome and cheerful with its decorations of
leaves, vines and bushes nailed on the lathing.
We had not yet reached that point where gas and electric lights with
their franchises troubled us, and tallow candles were the means employed to
illuminate the ballroom. Watertown Daily Times, 07 03 1939
Cross Reference:
1981, by Evelyn Rose for the Daily
Times -- 1840: Watertown has outdone itself with parades
that have been great. First
celebration was on July 4, 1840.
Quote from the archives: "a spirit of patriotism took possession of
the four year old community and gave vent to a rousing, jolly Fourth of July
celebration that inspired the pride of country and made everyone look back to
Washington as the father and defender of Columbia ... a ball was held in
Savage's Hall at the corner of North First and Main streets . . . William Sacia
and his brother, Austin, came from the town of Concord to furnish the music . .
. dancing commenced at 2 o 'clock in the afternoon and continued to daybreak .
. . for the dinner baked pig, mashed potatoes and pudding. " The dance was held under arbors made
with posts and branches.
1848
WATERTOWN: “SECOND CITY” IN WISCONSIN,
PLANK ROAD BONANZA FOR LOCAL
TAVERNS
“After the completion of the plank
road, Watertown, early a place of promise, became the second city in the
State and a bonanza for taverns; their story, however, has been well told in
local histories. People and produce from
the country to the west and north for many miles PASSED THROUGH WATERTOWN TO
MILWAUKEE, and land seekers made it their
headquarters. J. B. Van Alstine, for
years the popular landlord of the Exchange, declared that he thought business
dull in those palmy days unless he had a hundred guests and as many horses to
care for. Two of the old taverns are
still running [in 1915], the Watertown House, now the Commercial, and the Buena
Vista, which was opened in February, 1848, by Capt. Henry Bogel, a veteran of
the Mexican War. During the regime of
William Wiggenhorn and his son, Eugene, the Buena Vista was the rendezvous of
German revolutionist refugees, among them Carl Schurz and Emil Rothe, while on
Sundays German services were held in its hall.”
Derived from “The Taverns and
Stages of Early Wisconsin” by J. H. A. Lacher, 1915. Contracts for construction of the road were let in October of 1848.
1856
07 31 The Exchange, of this city, is an
"old fashioned" public house in that it always goes in for the
substantial things of this present life, and though its table is always covered
with many of the best dishes, it has no fine names for any of them, but many fine
things with common names.
Mr. J. B. Van Alstine, its liberal and ever accommodating proprietor, is
careful to supply in ample profusion, bacon for the body, and if any of his numerous
guests want BACON for the mind, they can pass along to Sprague & Teet’s,
where they can be supplied. The Exchange
at the same time is a wide-awake Young America establishment in that its
landlord is always sure to be fully up to the times, and whatever rare delicacy
can be found in market at any season, he is among the first to have it. And then the fact that every
thing is got up under the direction and unerring taste of the
intelligent landlady of the house, makes it very certain that all will be
right, as you will see if you will only call.
While we are saying a good thing for a hotel that deserves all the
praise we bestow, we might as well thank its gentlemanly clerk, Mr. Thomas
Smith, for that present of tomatoes, which he sent us, with the intimation that
he knew where there was more of the same sort, and we could partake of them
about noon by calling at the institution on the corner of Main and First
streets, which we did of course, and were careful not to neglect the tempting
ears of sweet green corn, and a dozen other choice things that were spread
before us. WD
1858
07 22 A
sort of miscellaneous vagrant, B. B.
Vandercook, at the Exchange Hotel of this city, sneaked away without paying
his bill WD
1859
01 13 Probably the largest hog ever fatted in
this market was slaughtered by Mr. J. B. Van Alstine of the Exchange WD
04 14 Profusely
supplied tables; Van Alstine’s election has not made him any the less
attentive to guests WD
05 19 Alderman
Van Alstine of the Exchange is a model of
a corporation father and a pattern of a hotel keeper WG
10 11 Completion
of Chicago and North Western Railroad celebrated at Exchange WD
1860
01
12 Hotel
ripped off by fine looking female WD
03
22 Early
vegetables being served WD
11
23 A PRINCE OF LANDLORDS WR
Travelers who visit our city and looked up at the Exchange by J. B. Van Alstine, Esq.,
uniformly have an exalted opinion of Watertown, and well they may. After sitting at the best of tables the
country affords, occupying the most cleanly and best furnished apartments, and
being waited upon in the kindest manner, it is not in nature for a man to be
out of humor either himself or the rest of mankind. We hear the highest complements
paid to this house by the guests, who having once put up at it, are sure to
call often as possible after. As is
usual in such cases, large share of the credit is due Mrs. V., who, in addition
to the most valuable social, and moral qualities, has those still more rare,
indispensable to a good landlady.
1864
01 21 DEATH OF THOMAS W. SMITH
Mr. Van Alstine received word that his nephew, Thomas
W. Smith, age 32, had just expired in Nebraska City from the effects of
frost. Orphaned in infancy by the death
of his parents, he was adopted by Mr. J. B. Van Alstine of this city and by him
brought up.
03 17 HORSE NAMED “CUB”
Mr. J. B. Van Alstine’s favorite horse “Cub,” which survived the
terrible winter storm that swept over the Western plains last January while on
the way home from Denver with the late T. W. Smith, arrived here safe and sound
a day or two ago. He is not for
sale. Gold cannot now buy that noble
animal from its owner and its last days deserve to be as easy as that of all good horses that have faithfully served their
masters. WD
04 21 A SPRING-LIKE APPEARANCE
The Exchange Hotel begins to wear a spring-like look of neatness and
order. Mr. J. B. Van Alstine is trimming up his trees, cleaning off his sidewalks and
making every thing pleasant and comfortable for his
guests. This old and favorite public
house loses none of its merits and popularity.
Long may it flourish. WD
12 15 VAN ALSTINE HOUSE FIRE
A dwelling house belonging to Mr.
J. B. Van Alstine caught fire on the 7th and came pretty near
burning up. Mr.
August Fuermann was promptly on hand with his rotary engine and by his
efforts and activity put out the flames before much damage was done. Engine Company No. 1 showed their good will
by coming out, but Fuermann’s rotary had already finished the business. Mr. VanAlstine’s loss is covered by insurance
in the Aetna. WD
1865
11 09 EXCHANGE
HOTEL FOR SALE
The subscriber offers for sale some of the most desirable and valuable
real estate in the city of Watertown.
His tavern stand, known as the Exchange Hotel
situated on the corner of Main and First streets, in the center of the business
part of the city, with all the lots and buildings belonging to it, can be
purchased on the most favorable terms.
This property is so advantageously located that a better point either
for a hotel or store cannot be found. He
has other houses and lots in different portions of the city also for sale. For particulars apply to J. B. Van
Alstine. WD
1876
01 12 ”Cheap John” has moved from
his west side headquarters to Van Alstine’s store, east of the Exchange. WR
08 24 Fire at ice house of Exchange
Hotel WD
1881
1881 Signage. Portion of 005_611
1881
1881 snow storm street scene
1885
Saengerfest street
scene
05 20 DEATH OF J. B. VAN ALSTINE
We are
called upon to chronicle the death of
another old settler, Jacob B. Van Alstine, from paralysis of the heart, at his
home in the Second ward, Thursday night last, May 20, 1886, at the age of 82
years. Although not in robust health for
some time past, owing to his declining years, yet the final summons was sudden
and unexpected, he being able to be around as usual
the day of his death. Deceased was
native of Canada, and some 40 years ago settled in Milwaukee, where he engaged
in business.
In the
year 1848 he came to Watertown and purchased the Exchange Hotel, then kept by
Edward Gilman. In Mr. Van Alstine’s
hands, the Exchange became one of the best known and most popular hotels in the
state, its new landlord acquiring a reputation far and wide, not only for his
excellent qualities as a caterer and host but for the peculiar and odd traits
of character he possessed.
His
hotel was viewed in the light of a home for all who stopped at it, and this
reputation it maintained up to the last.
For
several years past, Mr. Van Alstine had not done a regular hotel business, his
age preventing him from undertaking the active duties it Involved, but
nevertheless a few of his old traveling friends, while in the city, have continued
to make his house their headquarter, it being more like a home to them than
anywhere else. His wife survives him and he leaves one daughter, Mrs. Mary A. Wright.
Death has
been busy with the old settlers within the past year or two, but none will be
more missed, or cause a greater void in this community than Mr. Van
Alstine. Mr. Van Alstine’s funeral, held
from his late home Sunday afternoon, at 2 o’clock, was largely attended, the
services being conducted by the Rev. J. M. Campbell, of the Congregational church. Watertown Lodge F
& A.M. were present at the ceremonies to pay the last tribute of respect to
an old member of the order. The remains
were interred in Oak Hill
cemetery. Wttn Rep, May 26, 1886
1887
03 18 DEATH
OF MARY VAN ALSTINE
Once
more we have the sad duty to perform of chronicling the passing away of another
aged resident, Mrs. Mary Van Alstine, relict of the late J. B. Van Alstine,
whose death occurred at her home in the Second ward, Friday morning, March 18,
1887, from general debility, in the 79th year of her age.
Deceased was
born in England June, 1808, and came to Watertown with her husband in the year
1848, residing here uninterruptedly since that time.
She
was a person of amiable and kindly traits of
character, a good neighbor and a true friend. Crippled somewhat by a fall a few years ago,
Mrs. Van Alstine had been seen out but seldom of late, although enjoying fairly good health until her last sickness, which extended
through a period of about three weeks.
Mrs.
Van Alstine leaves two children, Mrs. Mary A. Wright, of this city, and a son
by her first husband, Wm. B. Hauworth, a prominent
architect of Quincy, Illinois.
Her
funeral was held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock from her late home and was
attended by a large number of her friends and
neighbors, Rev. J. M. Campbell, of the Congregational church, officiating.
The
remains were interred
in Oak Hill cemetery by the side of her husband.
1887
STREET SCENE
01 04 CENTRAL
HOUSE
The Central House, corner
of Main and First streets, formerly the Van Alstine Hotel, has been re-opened
by B. F. Watson and is now ready for business. He has had the place fitted up in good shape,
and he means to make it pleasant for all patrons. He is a first class
man, and all who stop at his house will find that he will use them well. He should receive his share of trade, and our
people should make an effort to see that he gets a
good foothold here in business. WG
1890
10 01 HOTEL
USED AS FAITH HOME
The old Van Alstine
hotel building has been rented by Rev. E.E. Bauert
for a Faith Home, and is now being occupied for this
purpose. WR
c.1890
GERMANIA HOUSE / C. T. LOTZ
The
first hotel built in Watertown in 1840, the Exchange Hotel.
1891
MOVED TO 617 S. FIRST ST.
In 1891 it was moved to the corner of
S. First and Milwaukee streets. Today
this is the M & M Bar, the oldest building in the city.
Van Alstine's hotel building has been on the move
towards its destination to the lot, corner of First and Milwaukee streets,
since Friday last. The moving
contractors, Messrs. Martin & Jaeger, experienced great trouble to get the building from its foundation and turned properly
in its course down First Street. This
was not accomplished until Monday evening, but since then the moving has gone
along smoothly. It was the most excitement the town had had for a long time, and it was
something wonderful the number of bosses, wiseacres
and gentlemen of leisure the job of moving developed. Some have learned by
this moving that among the uncertainties of life none is greater than to find
out when and how you can get a building away from its foundation and instilled
with the right kind of moving spirit.
04 03 The old Van Alstine
hotel building was erected in the summer of 1841 for hotel purposes by Isaac
Savage, Edward Gilman, being its first landlord. In 1848, Savage disposed of it to the late J.B.
Van Alstine.
The latter occupied it for about 40 years, and up to the time of his
death. At the present time there are but
eight persons residing here who lived in Watertown
when the building was erected, being John W. Cole and wife, Mrs. J.A. Chadwick,
A. Boomer, Dr. E. Johnson and wife, Mrs. John Gibbs
and P. V. Brown. WG
04 17 P. Rogan informs us that there were
several misstatements in our article last week on the Van Alstine
building. He says that John C. and
Harris Gilman erected the building, though the Jefferson
County history says that Savage built it.
Mr. Rogan says Savage never had anything to do with the hotel. He also claims that there are two buildings
now in the city older than the ones spoken of, being Robert Crangle's residence
on the Milford Road, and the residence just north of Evans' barn. Mr. Rogan was one of the first boarders at
the hotel, was here when it was built, and for four years previous thereto. Mrs. Ellen and Miss M. Crowley, and Robert
Crangle, now residents of Watertown, were also here at the time. WG
1900
03 02 Clayton Watson died suddenly at the home of his
parents, by B. F. Watson and wife, at Lake Mills on Thursday, February
22, 1900, aged about 35 years. He was a former
resident of Watertown, his father being proprietor of the old Exchange Hotel,
which stood on the present site of the Merchant’s Bank. WG
1921
--
-- REMEMBERANCE
Mr. J.B. Van Alstine kept a hotel on the
northeast corner of Main and First streets called the “Exchange.” In this modest appearing building was rendered
the very best service that a practical caterer could supply.
At meal time it was the custom of the proprietor to pace back and forth
in front of the hotel ringing a large dinner bell to call the people in. He invariably wore a tall silk hat and usually
walked with a cane. The sidewalk was
paved with brick and the constant travel over it, in time, wore the bricks down
to a third of their original thickness.
Mr. Van Alstine’s exacting disposition
and strict honesty made every detail of his “caravansary” a joy and comfort to
the traveling public. This same
disposition would brook no deceit or dishonest practices on the part of others.
The bread for his table was made from the best winter wheat flour
and was purchased in five- or ten-barrel lots. On one occasion he ordered a supply from the
miller who made, but just at this time no winter wheat was on hand, so the
miller sent in its place a first class flour made of Spring wheat, and “Van”
used it up without knowing the difference until the bill came in for payment,
when the lower price of the Spring wheat flour called his attention to the fact
that he had not been supplied with the kind of flour he had ordered; it made
him so angry that he nearly threw the miller out of the house and ceased to
patronize him thereafter.
On another occasion a man sold him a load of firewood and was
piling it up in the yard to be paid for by the cord—128 cubic feet. Mr. Van Alstine was
watching him through a window. The man
laid the sticks of cordwood in such a manner that there were many holes in the
pile which made the quantity appear much larger than it really was. When the job was finished Mr. Van Alstine went out and furiously asked the man “How many of
those holes in that woodpile it would take to cook a man’s breakfast,” and
further added, “I’ll give you just 15 minutes to get that load on your wagon
and out of this yard, or you’ll have some assistance in getting out.” The man went out in the allotted time.
William Chappel, a constant boarder at
the “Exchange,” was something of an epicure, also a Yankee and fond of baked
beans. This, however, was a dish which was not served at the “Exchange” tables,
but “Bill”, as he was familiarly called, got into the good graces of Mrs. Van Alstine and she told him if he would get someone to cook
the beans that she would have them served, as she never had cooked beans and
wouldn’t try at her time of life. So
“Bill” went out and bought a peck of beans, had them picked over by the dining
room girls, and sent them to a bakery to be put to soak, then the pork and
seasoning to be added and put into the old-fashioned brick oven the last thing
at night to be baked.
“Bill” was there in the morning to get the beans; they had swollen
to over a bushel in bulk so he got a boy with a
wheelbarrow to take them to the hotel kitchen. Mrs. Van Alstine
held up her hands in horror and says “What will we
ever do with all these beans, Mr. Chappel?”
Of course, Chappel knew he could not eat
all that mass of beans, but being a lawyer and quick
witted he answered “O, put them on the tables, the rest of the guests will like
them.”
Mrs. Van Alstine did so,
and was not only relieved but amazed at the capacity of her guests for
those beans. In two days time they were all gone, and in a few more days
the guests were inquiring for more beans, but neither
Mr. Chappel or Mrs. Van Alstine
attempted it again.
Derived from "Reminiscences of Ernest Wood"
published in 1921
Cross
References:
Article on Van Alstine and Exchange
hotel in Watertown History Annual #2,
2007, pg 1-12.
Van Alstine, Mary (Silas Wright), Daughter of Jacob Van Alstine
Van Alstine's
Exchange Hotel, Temporary residence of first mayor
Van Alstine's
Exchange Hotel, Van Alstine's Exchange
Excerpt from a little book entitled “The Long Ago,”
written by J. William Wright and published in 1921. J. William Wright was a grandson of pioneer hotel
keeper Jacob B. VanAlstine, who kept the Exchange Hotel once located on the
corner of Main and First Streets. This
building was moved to its present location, the corner of South First and
Milwaukee streets, in 1892. Mr. Wright
was the son of Mary A. Van Alstine, a noted artist, and Silas Wright. He graduated from Watertown High School in
1888 and began a career as a minor poet and short story writer. Like his mother before him, he wound up in
California and died there in the 1950s.
Image
files, to be added to a new VanAlstine
portfolio:
WHS_008_197 Exchange Hotel, Main and First Streets,
1861. Bank of Watertown on far left.
WHS_008_198 Mary and Willie Wright
WHS_008_199 J. William Wright--circa 1888 / J. William Wright was a grandson of
pioneer hotel keeper Jacob B. VanAlstine, who kept the Exchange Hotel.
WHS_008_200 Grandmother Van Alstine,
circa 1880
WHS_011_008 Assessor image of 1951
________________________________________________
History of Watertown,
Wisconsin