Clifton-Metropolitan Hotel facts for kids
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Clifton-Metropolitan Hotel
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Formerly listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places
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The building was located at the corner where this parking ramp now stands.
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| Location | 130 W. River Dr. Davenport, Iowa |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1841 |
| Architect | Henry Leonard |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| MPS | Davenport MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 83002413 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | July 7, 1983 |
| Removed from NRHP | November 12, 1997 |
The Clifton-Metropolitan Hotel was a historic building in downtown Davenport, Iowa. It was once a busy hotel. This important building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. This list recognizes places important to American history.
Sadly, the hotel building was later torn down. Because it was gone, it was removed from the National Register in 1997. Today, a public parking garage stands where the hotel and the nearby Schauder Hotel used to be. This spot is at the corner of Main Street and River Drive.
Discovering the Hotel's Past
The building first opened in 1841. It was originally a store called G.L. Davenport. Later, it became the Clifton-Metropolitan Hotel. This hotel was part of a big building boom in Davenport. Many new hotels were built from the time of the American Civil War until the early 1900s.
The Clifton-Metropolitan Hotel stayed open for many decades. It lasted longer than most other hotels from that time. It was located near an area known as the Bucktown District. Eventually, the building became part of the Petersen Harned and Von Maur Department Store. They used it for storage. Later, the property was bought by the President Riverboat Casino. They had plans for the building, but these plans never happened.
Why the Hotel Was Torn Down
The President Riverboat Casino wanted to tear down the building in 1995. They even said they would sue if people tried to save it. At the time it was demolished, the Clifton-Metropolitan Hotel was the oldest commercial building in Davenport.
Local history groups wanted to give the building "landmark status." This would have protected it from being torn down. However, the city council voted 8 to 1 against giving it this status. So, the building was demolished in November 1995. A new parking structure was built in its place.
