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The
following articles gleaned from Meade newspapers tell
the story of how the Lakeway Hotel first came to be.... this
was big news in Meade... the state lake was in development
at this time and all the movers and shakers could envision
what prosperity tourism was going to bring to our small
town.
MEADE
GLOBE-NEWS - October 27, 2024
GOOD START ON A NEW HOTEL
For many
moons a new hotel for Meade has been discussed. Several
times in the past year it looked a though a new hotel would
be built, but each time it fell through. Now the prospects
are much brighter.
Tuesday
night about twenty men met and went over a proposition for a
building that would be a credit to places much larger than
Meade. Tentative plans had been made in the rough, but when
it is finally decided that the proposition will go over, an
architect will be put on the job to work out the details.
However enough is known that the figures are correct.
It is
proposed to expend in the neighborhood of $60,000, which
includes site, building and furnishings. The hotel part will
have thirty-five rooms, dining and coffee room, kitchen.
There will be a business room in the front and two business
rooms at the rear.
The site
practically settled on, will be the one occupied by the
National Hotel. Mr. and Mrs. Adams made the businessmen a
proposition which is considered fair. The second story will
go to the alley, but the third floor will contain only nine
rooms. However, the building is planned to allow for the
remainder of the story to be built at any time business
demands it.
Among the
men present at the meeting, $14,000 was subscribed. A
committee composed of C.C. Wilson, John W. Wood, Dr. J.A.
Gilman, Willis Wolfe, Dr. W.F. Fee, and J.E. Braden, was
appointed to interview prospective purchasers of stock.
The
temporary organization is L. Boehler, chairman and A.R.
Wilson, secretary. When it is known that enough stock will
be taken, a meeting will be called for a permanent
organization. A meeting will be held Friday night to hear
the report of the special committee.
The
business men who are doing the preliminary work, have made
careful investigations of other hotel properties and are
content that the proposition is a good paying investment. At
present Meade does not have adequate hotel accommodations
and that many traveling men are passing the city because of
the accommodations. When the state lake project is
completed, more accommodations will be needed.
It has
been rumored that some outsider had his eye on Meade with a
stock proposition and, if such a deal would go through, the
hotel that Meade would get would be a selling proposition
and not what Meade should have. All the money that you
subscribe on this proposition goes into the property and
none out for commissions. It is a proposition that should
appeal to the civic pride of everyone in Meade.
MEADE
GLOBE-NEWS - November 3, 2024
HOTEL PROJECT COMING FINE
Those
interested in the new hotel project for Meade, report
splendid success in raising the money from local people.
There is a liberal response to the committee.
The hotel
is not a civic proposition by all means. It is a real
investment. The plan has been worked out on a very
conservative basis. The only place civic pride comes is in
that persons with money to invest have an opportunity to put
their money into a project which they can watch and which
they can be assured will return them good interest on their
money.
Many
thousands of dollars have been sent away from Meade to help
build up some other community and many times, it was only a
wildcat scheme to get money on a wobbly proposition. The
hotel proposition is a sound investment. Sound in the
present circumstances and when the state park begins to
receive out-of-town visitors, the present and contemplated
hotel accommodation will not suffice.
The basis
the business men estimate are on a fifty per cent plan which
will pay a good rate of interest. Most of the hotels in
towns the size of Meade are running from 65 to 75 percent.
Everything has been figured on the same conservative basis.
It is purely a home investment and one well worth your
investigation.
The
property will cost approximately $60,000 and almost
two-thirds of this amount has been subscribed and the
committee have a number yet to see. The best way to make
Meade win is for Meade people to back Meade, and in this
proposition you are making a paying investment.
MEADE
GLOBE-NEWS - November 10, 2023
NOT READY FOR THE HOTEL CONTRACT
A report
has gone out that Louis E. Riggs, has a contract for the
building of Meade's new hotel. It is an erroneous impression
and as Mr. Riggs says, is as far from the truth as the devil
is from a Sunday school.
Mr. Riggs
has assisted the local men in their endeavors in every
possible way the same as has Mr. Hopper, the architect, yet
no contract for the building has been let nor is it shown
who will be the builder.
The
excellent work Mr. Riggs has done in building the school
house and court house, is very commendable, yet he realizes
fully that Meade people are not building a hotel to give him
a job. He has become interested in the community through his
eighteen months residence here, but he has also given the
best price for the work he has obtained. His experience as a
builder has been invaluable to the local people and Louis
wears his belt far down enough that you can see him shake
with laughter because of his good nature and open
open-mindedness. He is a booster.
The hotel
proposition is the first big home investment proposition put
up to Meade citizens in many years and the way the people
are taking hold of it, shows the confidence the people have
in the proposition.
MEADE
GLOBE NEWS - April 5, 2024
NEW HOTEL NOW ASSURED; TO BEGIN WORK AT ONCE
While
there will be a tinge of sorrow to the old timer when he
sees the National Hotel being razed, yet it will gladden his
heart to know that in its place will be a $100,000 fire
proof hotel, modern throughout, take its place.
Many the
deals that have taken place in the old hostelry in the
cattle days and county seat wars in Western Kansas in what
was then a fine hotel for Western Kansas.
For
several months, Mr. and Mrs. Adams have not conducted the
place for transients and next week will move from the
building so that it can be razed and the new building
started.
Monday
night, a group of Meade businessmen and farmers nearby,
completed their arrangements for finishing the project. When
the new hotel was first talked about, it was thought that a
$60,000 building including site, building and furnishings,
would be sufficient but as the men have carefully
investigated other hotel properties in this part of the
state and with the increasing importance of the Southwest,
and especially the Meade State Lake in Meade county, has
convinced them that a larger building and a fire proof
building, would be a paying investment and be more in line
with the needs of Meade.
Directors
elected Monday night are: C.C. Wilson, Roy Twist, L.T. Gum,
A.F. Wilson, and E.E. Innis. The directors in turn organized
by electing C.C. Wilson, Pres., Roy Twist, Vice-pres., E.E.
Innis, Secretary-Treasurer. Incorporation papers will be
taken out at once.
The
officers stated that the work of razing the building will
start next week and that it will require six months to
complete the building. R.A. Rexroad, who is building the dam
at the state park, will bring his big ditch digging machine
to Meade and do the excavating.
The
building and site will cost close to $80,000 and the
furnishings $20,000. There will be $60,000 in stock sold,
and more than three-fourths of it is taken at present. There
is still some available. A loan will be floated on the
remainder.
Various
plans have been discussed and a plan frequently used in the
large cities was finally adopted. However, it was made over
to fit the local conditions and so the local men could
control the property, rentals and management.
The
building will be full three stories and will have
fifty-eight guest rooms, 29 on each floor. Thirteen rooms on
each floor will have baths, but all rooms will have
lavatories with running water.
The
building proper will be 50x140, with a small part taken off
the west side for ventilation and access to the alley from
that side. The corner room will be a merchandise room with
basement accessible. This room will be 32x50. Directly back
of it will be a room for barber shop, beauty shop and sample
room.
The lobby
will face to the east and will have a place 40x40 with
lounge room, business office and fireplace. The coffee and
dining room will be 34x43 with place out for the kitchen.
The kitchen is so arranged as to serve the dining room and
the basement room which is being arranged for public
gatherings such as the Commercial Club, meeting of
businessmen and other public meetings where meals will be
served. On the northwest corner there will be a 20x28 office
room. The basement will be under most of the building and
will be arranged that the store place above will have
storage there. A large laundry room is also provided.
Fred
Hopper, architect for the school building and court house,
has worked out the plans and as Louis Riggs, who built the
above buildings, has worked with the committee and devised
plans whereby the building can be built at the minimum cost,
will probably be the man who will build it.
The
directors of the hotel company decided to offer $15 in gold
to the Meade county person who will suggest the most
appropriate name for the new hotel. More particulars will be
given at a later date.
The spirit
of the men who are behind the hotel has been prompted by the
spirit and needs of the community. It is a local company of
stockholders who have seen the ups and downs of Western
Kansas and who have faith in Meade. Local money will build
it. Income has been worked to such a nicety that it is a
sound investment. In fact, income has been figured low that
the proposition would be a safe investment and one that
people could feel secure in buying stock.
It has
taken a long time to work out the details and to interest
enough local capital and the men who have been persistently
at the work are deserving of credit from the county as well
as the city.
Barns
Bros., cleaners, who own the lot just west of the hotel
property, will have a front designed and have it put up at
the same time the hotel building is erected. It will be one
story, There is also talk of another building on that street
and in all probability it will materialize.
MEADE
GLOBE-NEWS - April 19, 2024
WHY THE SAND
Early
Monday morning Louis Riggs had some sand dumped near the
National hotel and the first question asked of him was: "Why
the sand?" All of the trees about the building have been
wrapped to prevent them from being injured while the
erection of the new hotel is being carried out. Mr. and Mrs.
Adams are disposing of their furniture this week and expect
to be out of the building by next Saturday. They have been
there for 26 years and the accumulation of 26 years in a
hotel is considerable.
Monday,
Mr. Riggs will begin razing the building and in one week's
time the lot will be cleared if possible to do so. It has
been his intention to have the Rexroad steam shovel excavate
the basement, but Mr. Rexroad has a contract for an elevator
in another town and cannot wait for the razing of the
building.
MEADE
GLOBE NEWS - May 17, 2024
MEADE'S NEW HOTEL - A STRUCTURE OF ARCHITECTURAL AND
ECONOMICAL BEAUTY
Now that
spring is here, and summer just around the corner, do you
realize the improvement which is going on in Meade on the
spot where the old National hotel stood?
Following
the razing of that building, the excavating has begun on the
new hotel, which will be absolutely modern and fire-proof to
the minutest detail. The selection of this site is
recognized for its strategical point, it being in the very
heart of our thriving little metropolis.
The old
hostelry brings pleasant memories to the old timers of the
days when Judge Lynch ruled with an iron hand, a
shooting-iron hand. When men were men--the survival of the
fittest; those old cow days.
Meade's
need for a large hotel to help accommodate the every
increasing tourist trade, has been the topic of conversation
for several months, but nothing definite was established
until April 2, when a group of Meade's leading business men
and substantial farmers met and completed the financial
program, and work was ordered started at once.
It being a
large proposition, and to enable the entire community to
share in its building, articles of incorporation were taken
out, and a small block of shares offered; with the following
prominent men of affairs elected to offices in the new
company. C.C. Wilson, attorney, with offices in the Meade
State Bank, was elected president. The vice presidency was
placed in the hands of Roy Twist, owner of the Roy Twist Oil
Company, and from the success of is oil company, it is to be
assured that he will fill the office with highest honors.
The remaining offices, that of secretary and treasurer,
consolidated into one, will be filled by a man with all the
necessary qualification, E.E. Innis, cashier of the Meade
State Bank. Assisting them as directors, will be L.T. Gum,
retired farmer and A.R. Wilson, cashier of the First
National Bank, both of whom are well known for their
business sagacity.
Present
estimates on the completed building, with appropriate
furnishings to meet the demand for a hotel of this class
will cost about $100,000. It will require six months before
it will be ready for occupancy, and after thorough
investigation the plans were perfected for a building
50x140, main floor with proper ventilation and access to the
alley; three stories and fifty-eight guest rooms with
thirteen private baths on each floor, but each remaining
room will have lavatories with hot and cold running water.
A large
room 32x50, to be used as a salesman's sample room or for
merchandise, will occupy a corner on the first floor.
Directly in the rear of this spacious room will be located
the barber shop and beauty parlor. Here tourists will find
everything for his comfort and pleasure and the plans for
equipment will be the very best money can buy.
The lobby
will face the rising sun, with the lounge room, fireplace
and business office, will occupy a site 40x40. There will
also be an attractive coffee shop and dining room with
kitchen annexed to take up an additional 34x42 of space. The
kitchen, which will be properly ventilated and refrigerated
will be arranged with connections to serve the main dining
room and coffee shop as well as the large basement to be
fitted up for rental purposes to public meetings. Several
commercial and social organizations already anticipate
using this room as soon as completed.
The
private business office will occupy a space of 20x28 on the
northwest corner of the main floor. The modern equipment
will fill its share toward keeping the laundry immaculately
clean. A private telephone board will keep the guest
incomplete communication with the outside world through the
local exchange, and no longer will be bobbed hair tourist
worry because she has no place to curl her locks, for, aside
from the beauty parlor, each room will be so constructed as
to have plugs for electrical appliances.
L.F.
Riggs, who recently completed the courthouse, of which Meade
county has every reason to be justly proud, and Fred Hooper,
of Topeka, Kansas, the architect, worked several weeks in
conjunction with the directors to build the structure at a
minimum cost.
An
electric automatic elevator with the latest safety devices
will be installed as soon as the skeleton is up. This modern
type elevator eliminates the employing of pilots and offers
builders of present day construction work an advantage over
the old type and are more simplified in installation.
All haste
is being made to get the concrete work under way and the
building finished, in order that the tourist trade over the
Atlantic and Pacific highway and all north and south
highways, may find in Meade a real home, for the travelling
public on wheels that will knock at its doors, and the flood
of tourists who desire convenience will turn and enter the
patio for the weary dust covered traveler.
Completion
of this hotel will have a pronounced effect and will cast
its golden influence on all residents of the community.
MEADE
GLOBE-NEWS - July 12, 2024
HAVE STARTED BRICK WORK ON MEADE'S NEW HOTEL
With the
basement of Meade's new $100,000 hotel completed, brick work
started Tuesday and if the rains will allow the workmen to
continue with their work, next week scaffolds will be built
for the pouring of the second floor. Mr. Riggs states that
he is not having any trouble with material orders. In fact,
he is holding some of them back. He is not losing a moment
with his faithful crew of workmen who are up at it all the
time and goes on with a unison that bespeaks a splendid
organization and denotes that only good men will be
countenanced.
MEADE
GLOBE-NEWS - September 6, 2024
BRICK BEING LAID FOR LAST STORY OF NEW HOTEL
The third
floor of Meade's new $100,000 hotel was poured last Friday
and this week brick work as well as the forms for the roof
are being pushed along. Mr. Riggs expects to pour the roof
in about ten days. Some of the false work in the basement
and first floor were taken out this week. Also the silt that
has collected in the basement from the excessive rains, is
being cleaned out and the workmen will soon be ready to put
in concrete floors.
The Barns
Bros. building next to the hotel is about ready for
plastering and in a short time the room will be ready for
occupancy.
MEADE
GLOBE-NEWS - November 22, 19 28
HOTEL COMPANY WANTS NAME FOR NEW HOTEL
Get your
thinking cap on and suggest a name to the Meade Hotel
Company for the new hotel which will be opened about the
first of January. The company has decided to give a prize of
$15 in cash to the person who suggests a name that is chosen
by the directors. Submit your names to E.E. Innis by Friday,
November 30th.
The
directors have about completed the purchase of all
furnishings and they will begin arriving in a short time.
Contractor Riggs states that he expects to have the building
completed and turned over to the company by Christmas time.
Arrangements are being made for a grand opening with an
appropriate program.
MEADE
GLOBE-NEWS - December 6, 2023
LAKEWAY IS NAME FOR MEADE'S NEW HOTEL
The Meade
Hotel Company has decided Mrs. Harry Coon the winner in the
new name contest and selected "Lakeway" one of the names
submitted by Mrs. Coon.
More than
500 names were submitted to the company and the unanimous
decision was for "Lakeway." The name links up the Nos. 54
and 12 to the Meade County State Park and is a very
appropriate name.
The
Lakeway is rapidly nearing completion. The plasterers will
finish this week and the carpenters are at work on the third
floor. It is thought everything will be ready for the
furnishings by the first of the year.
MEADE
GLOBE-NEWS - February 7, 2024
PUTTING DOWN CARPETS IN NEW LAKEWAY HOTEL
Work of
putting down carpets in the new hotel has started. The
second and third floors are practically completed with the
exception of the stairs and they are being put in this week.
The "squirrel cage" on the outside of the building was taken
down this week and the inside elevator cage will be
installed in a few days.
Miss Alice
Adams will have charge of the coffee room. The hotel company
will furnish the room with tables, counters, and kitchen
range, and Miss Adams will furnish the dishes, silverware
and articles that must be checked.
The
directors have to definitely decided on the tenant for the
south room. Brother Buis will have one of the rear rooms for
his real estate and insurance office.
MEADE
GLOBE-NEWS - February 21, 2024
HOTEL LAKEWAY TO OPEN FEB. 26
Hotel
Lakeway will be thrown open to the public, Tuesday night,
February 26. The Meade Hotel Company officers announce there
will be no program other than that everyone is cordially
invited to inspect the building and listen to the orchestra.
Officers
of the company will be present to show people over the
building. Orchestra will also furnish music for a dance to
which everyone is cordially invited.
Miss Alice
Adams who has charge of the Lakeway Shop, will serve a
turkey dinner from 6 to 8:30 p.m. After that time Miss Adams
and the hotel company will serve coffee and doughnuts to
those who wish for them.
Invitations have been issued to many wholesale firms to have
their representatives present, besides many invitations have
gone to out of town people and hotels announcing the
opening. The people of Meade county are especially invited.
Not all
the furniture is placed, but everything will be in spic and
span shape by Tuesday night. Come and see for yourself what
the perseverance and vision of community builders have given
to this part of the state.
MEADE
GLOBE-NEWS - February 28, 2024
OPENING OF HOTEL LAKEWAY A GREAT EVENT IN SOUTHWEST
Nearly 2000 People Visited the Hotel Tuesday Evening and had
an Enjoyable Time
They came;
they saw; but Meade conquered. Estimated at between 1,500
and 2,000 visitors, transported here in 600 automobiles, by
actual count, attended the opening of the Lakeway Hotel
Tuesday night. Three states, Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas,
were represented among the gathering. They were a happy,
jolly and pleasant bunch of enthusiastic Southwesterners who
are noted for their cosmopolitan ways and appreciation of
anything big and good for their Great Southwest.
Although
the hotel was not quite ready for occupancy Tuesday morning
and the opening was scheduled for six o'clock in the
evening, everyone connected with the new establishment
functioned and when the gong sounded everything was in its
place.
Even H.H.
Hoon who has the lease on the new barber shop came running
with his razors and was ready to shave the first guest,
although he did not intend to open his shop until Wednesday.
The
fifty-two rooms, furnished in the latest style with Simmons
steel furniture, that the new departure in furnishings which
is attracting the attention of the traveling public, were
all spoken for before the hour of opening, by out of town
guests and the career of the Southwest's greatest and newest
hotel was started off with an impetus that indicated future
prosperity.
S.D.
Adams, veteran hotel man, who operated the old National
hotel, Meade's first hotel, was in his place behind the
desk. Mrs. Adams, whose culinary perfections are known by
every traveler who ever visited Meade and had the
opportunity of eating any of her delicious cooking, was in
her place of supervision the ultra-modern kitchen. She
remarked that it was a far cry from the kitchen of the old
National to the modern equipped kitchen provided in the
Lakeway.
The large
spacious lobby with its beautiful upholstered easy chairs
and conveniences were filled to overflowing. In fact, it
was remarked by one visitor that the crowd was so large a
person couldn't fall down--yet order reigned supreme, and
indicative of the future policy in the operation of this
hotel was the absence of boisterous or ribald activity.
People were genuinely happy.
Skeptics Came and Believed
Those skeptics--and there are a few in every town--who
were so sure it couldn't be done stood back with awe as they
witnessed the interested spectators and visitors from three
states. It showed that the Southwest wanted this hotel and
wanted to show the far-sighted, aggressive business men of
Meade, who were responsible for this hotel that they
appreciated their efforts and were happy with them.
Liberal
Well Represented
Lee" Larabee and A.F. Gorman of Liberal headed a
delegation estimated at more than one hundred visitors who
came with smiles on their faces fairly radiating their
happiness for Meade. Formality was conspicuous by its
absence and representatives from rival cities mingled with
each other on a common ground.
Mr. and
Mrs. Byrd Rogers, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Perry of
Guymon, drove all the way to Meade to be present at this
epoch making event. Mr. Rogers was manager in Meade for the
Home Lumber company some twenty-six years ago. He rejoiced
to see the city's progress and came all the way here to show
his interest.
Mrs. and
Mrs. C.F. Stowell and Mr. and Mrs. Cleaver were in
attendance from Garden City, as were many others from the
sister city on the northwest. Mr. Stowell is the editor of
that live-wide-awake magazine, fighting for the Southwest's
advancement, Opportunity.
District
Judge Karl Miller and his reporter, J.A. Griswold,
accompanied by Rev. Glickler and several other Dodge City
people gave that city a good representation.
Mr. and
Mrs. C.C. Raymond of Greensburg were here. Mr. Raymond is
the manager of the Southwestern Telephone company and he
showed the interest of his company in the future success of
the hotel by personally inspecting the inter-communicating
telephone exchange in the building and placing one of his
best operators on the switchboard to see that it was started
off properly and the future operators instructed in its
uses. Hundred of people came to Meade from Dalhart;
Hutchinson, Fowler, Greensburg, Liberal, Ulysses, Plains,
Guymon and other cities in this region. In fact every town
in the Great Southwest was represented.
Makes
Interesting Picture
It was interesting to watch the throng. Old pioneers,
who have been rooted in Meade county soil since those early
days when Kansas idealisms were still in the making and who
never expected to see such an ultra-modern hostelry as the
Lakeway, drove in and visited the hotel. Showing not the
least embarrassment they traveled thru its lobby, its
corridors and saw and went away satisfied. They would never
have visited any such a modern place anywhere else in the
world but in Meade, Kansas. Meade is their town and likewise
the Lakeway is their hotel. They felt it and showed it.
Music
by Local Orchestra
The Lakeway orchestra under the leadership of Fred
Holderman, Jr., an organization composed of energetic, loyal
and patriot musicians donated their services to the new
enterprise until midnight, rendering excellent music which
lent exhilaration to the memorable event.
But what
of those energetic Meade business men-those far-vision
spirits what do things in a community? Yes--they were there.
They stood back and viewed with no mean degree of
satisfaction their accomplishments. It had been done, and in
the face of some small opposition on the part of a few who
could not see the practical side of advancement.
In the
building of this hotel, which will ever stand as a monument
to their endeavors, these men of Meade were loyal to their
town. Every piece of material that could be bought from or
through a Meade merchant was handled in that way. Every
workman, so far as it was possible to do, was a Meade man.
Meade or Meade county money paid the bill. That is why Meade
conquered. It was Meade's own child. It was born among the
surroundings and environments of progress, determination and
vision.
It will be
a success, not alone because of its modern attractive
appearance and convenience, but because it was accomplished
through the elements of cooperation and unity and will be
run by Mr. Adams, one of the county's leading citizens in a
way that will reflect credit on the community.
Coffee
Shop Comes in for Share
To Miss Alice Adams goes the credit of having the coffee
shop in condition to receive guests. The steam table was not
installed until as late as six o'clock. The decorations were
not in place but it was necessary that this part of the gala
event be in keeping with its surrounding hence, when the
guests began to get hungry, Miss Adams was ready for them
with the tables neatly and attractively decorated with cut
flowers and a delicious turkey dinner was served to all the
guests who could manage to get a place. It was a case of
first come-first served. Many did not, of course, get to
enjoy the delicious repast but there was no evidence of ill
feeling. It was, indeed, a happy go-lucky throng.
Today the
Lakeway has settled down to the even tenor of its ways. True
there is still a thrill of pride remaining in the minds of
those Meade citizens who through their loyalty for the
town-glance towards the Lakeway, and with an expression of
pride and contentment remark to themselves; "It has been
done." |
