Buck's Hotel facts for kids
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| Location | Jersey City, New Jersey |
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| Owner | John Buck |
Buck's Hotel was a well-known hotel in Jersey City, New Jersey, during the 1800s. It was often called "John Buck's famous hotel." Around 1838, this hotel became very important. It served as Jersey City's very first city hall. This happened after Jersey City became separate from Bergen Township.
In 1880, a famous person, Union general and author Joseph Warren Revere, passed away at the hotel. Buck's Hotel was eventually torn down in 1891. This was done to make more space for The Evening Journal newspaper building.
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What Was Buck's Hotel Like?
Buck's Hotel was a large building made of wood. It had a special entrance for horse-drawn teams and wagons. This entrance was under the eastern side of the building. Above this entrance was a "long room." This room was used for many important meetings.
At the back of the hotel, there was a stable. This stable was for horses and carriages. It stretched all the way to Montgomery Street.
The Story of Buck's Hotel
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We don't know exactly when Buck's Hotel first opened. But we do know that John Buck was its owner.
Around 1837, people living in Jersey City wanted things to improve. They asked the board of selectmen (a group of local leaders) for help. They wanted better roads, street lights, and a night watch to keep the town safe. They also wanted better ways to fight fires and get water. However, there wasn't enough money to do all these things.
A New Start for Jersey City
On January 9, 1838, the board of selectmen held an urgent meeting at Buck's Hotel. They needed to talk about the money problems. John Griffith was chosen to lead the meeting. Thomas A. Alexander was the secretary. They discussed what the town needed most.
A few days later, they met again. A report from 1838 describes a very large meeting at the hotel. People gathered in the "long room" on January 13, 1838. They talked about a new plan for Jersey City. This plan was called a "charter." They wanted everyone to agree to it and make it official.
The new charter was approved in February 1838. In the same month, Jersey City officially became independent. It was no longer part of Bergen Township.
First City Meetings
On February 22, 1838, the Board of Aldermen (another group of town leaders) met at Buck's Hotel. They discussed how to save money. For example, they thought about having fewer night watchmen. Important people at this meeting included Mayor Dudley S. Gregory.
After an election in March, the selectmen had their last meeting at Buck's Hotel on April 7, 1838.
On April 16, 1838, a very special meeting happened at Buck's Hotel. It was Jersey City's very first mayoral meeting! Dudley S. Gregory was the first mayor. He and the new council met in the "long room" of the hotel.
A General's Last Days
On April 15, 1880, a Union general named Joseph Warren Revere was on a ferry boat. He was traveling to New York. He suddenly became very ill, likely from a heart attack. His friends quickly took him to Buck's Hotel. General Revere stayed at the hotel and passed away there on April 20, 1880.
The Hotel's End
In 1891, Buck's Hotel was torn down. This was to make room for the Evening Journal newspaper building. The newspaper had built its plant next to the hotel in 1874. Later, in 1911, the Evening Journal moved its main office. It moved to an area that is now called Journal Square. This area was named after the newspaper!
