Higbee Hotel is one of the historical and forgotten hotels of Benton Harbor, Michigan. This news article will explore and explain the history of Higbee Hotel.
James F. Higbee was a particularly prominent man in the Benton Harbor area who acquired considerable property. James F. Higbee built the Higbee Hotel in Benton Harbor, Michigan in 1877. Construction of the Higbee Hotel took less than a year. Here he engaged in the hotel business. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/clip/39673963/the-news-palladium/)
According to Portrait and biographical record of Berrien and Cass counties, Michigan : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of the presidents of the United States, Higbee Hotel was “a line brick structure containing all the modern conveniences”. (Ref: https://archive.org/stream/bad0857.0001.001.umich.edu/bad0857.0001.001.umich.edu_djvu.txt)
Higbee Hotel had a 3-story parlor hidden in the back near a semi-canopy at a 90ยบ degree angle facing Michigan Street. The hotel office located up front facing Pipestone Street. A basement was established between the kitchen and parlor.
However James F. Higbee did not stay engaged in the hotel business for very long. He conducted and operated Higbee Hotel for 2 years. He began leasing the Higbee Hotel to different business people and managers starting in 1879. James F. Higbee sold the hotel and property to A. L. Wilcox in 1879. A. L. Wilcox was then made the new owner of Higbee Hotel. A. L. Wilcox leased the Higbee Hotel to different business people and business owners. (Ref: https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/micounty/bad0855.0001.001?rgn=main;view=fulltext)
According to the Weekly Palladium, 40 guests, including many townspeople, registered at the new Higbee Hotel on Sunday, September 18, 1887. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/362309337/)
According to News-Palladium, Higbee Hotel was operating under ownership of James F. Higbee again but this time with the lessee, Mr. Alonzo Vincent, in 1887. The two had been waiting on the arrival of some furniture and furnishings which is what delayed the grand opening of Higbee Hotel that year. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/362161134/)
Higbee Hotel started being referred to as “ Higbee House” beginning in 1887. The new Higbee House was was formally opened for public patronage by the landlord, Mr. Alonzo Vincent on a Monday evening. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/362161398/)
[The new Higbee House, neat, convenient, commodious, and nicely furnished, was formally opened for public patronage Monday evening by the landlord, Mr. Alonzo Vincent, who entertained at tea his first guest. Mr. Curth, a traveling representative of a large firm of paint manufacturers. He stayed all night, but did not register, as the book was not opened until morning. The first names to grace its pages were those of R. W. Farrell, of Chicago, and A. D. Bishop, of Chadron, Neb., who took breakfast. Dinner was served to a large number and the new omnibus, duly labeled "Higbee House," made its first trip to the trains in behalf of the new hotel this afternoon.]
Sparrell & Starr of St. Joseph, Michigan enlarged and remodeled the Higbee Hotel at Benton Harbor at an estimated cost of $20,000, for Chas. H. Fowler in 1902. Chas. H. Fowler had recently purchased the building and property from James F. Higbee. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/118283020/)
As a proprietor, The Higbee Hotel was doing a nice business to the public in 1902. The public greatly appreciated Higbee Hotel. The public referred to Higbee Hotel as a nice business. (Ref: https://newspaperarchive.com/benton-harbor-daily-palladium-jun-13-1902-p-3)
News-Palladium claimed that Higbee Hotel was the best place to eat in the city in 1904. News-Palladium reported, “It is the best place to eat in the city. The Higbee Hotel is recognized as one of the best in this part of the state.” Mr. R. P. Chambers conducted and operated the Higbee Hotel. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/363511242/)
“R. P. Chambers, proprietor of the Higbee hotel, has been making many improvements in and around the hotel. Will Morton, of Chicago, was here yesterday visiting.” (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/365653396/)
News-Palladium reported that A. L. Wilcox sold Higbee Hotel to O. B. Witte in 1921. O. B. Witte was the operator and manager of Higbee Hotel. A. L. Wilcox had wanted to wash his hands completely free of Higbee Hotel and get out of the hotel business. O. B. Witte had experience within the hotel business. The Higbee Hotel was later renamed to the Eastland Hotel. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/364845730/)
“A. L. Wilcox has sold out his interest in the Higbee Hotel to O. B. Witte, late of the Miller House at Vicksburg, Michigan, who is closing out his business there and expects to take over the Higbee on or before the 15th instantly.”
Robert Kennedy became the new proprietor of Higbee Hotel in 1923 as reported by News-Palladium. Robert Kennedy has had considerable experience in the hotel business. So the hotel actually thrived even better under his leadership. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/364738290/)
“The Higbee hotel will be formally opened tomorrow by the new proprietor, Robert Kennedy. Mr. Kennedy has had considerable experience in the hotel business and his success seems assured.”
Higbee Hotel was located at 167 Pipestone Street, Benton Harbor, Michigan, US 49022.
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