Harrington Hotel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Harrington Hotel
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1026 Military Street, Port Huron, Michigan |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1896 |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival, Richardsonian Romanesque |
| NRHP reference No. | 82004468 |
| Added to NRHP | April 22, 1982 |
The Harrington Hotel is a historic building in Port Huron, Michigan. It is also known as the Harrington Inn. You can find it at 1026 Military Street. This important building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
Contents
A Look Back: History of the Hotel
Building a Landmark
The Harrington Hotel was built in 1896. It stands on land that once belonged to Charles Harrington. Charles was born in Port Huron in 1842. He grew up to be a successful lawyer and investor.
A Hub for Famous Faces
Once built, the hotel quickly became a popular spot. It was a center for social events and political meetings in Port Huron. Many important people stayed there. These guests included:
- William Gibbs McAdoo, who was the Secretary of War
- Michigan Governor John T. Rich
- Actors like Otis Skinner and Robert B. Mantell
- Comedian Eddie Foy Sr.
- Boxer Robert Fitzsimmons
- Famous inventor Thomas Edison
In 1919, Harry S. Truman and his wife Bess spent their honeymoon at the Harrington Hotel. Harry S. Truman later became a President of the United States.
Changes Over Time
Charles Harrington managed the hotel until 1923. In 1940, a movie called Young Tom Edison premiered in Port Huron. Many famous people came to the hotel for this event. Guests included actor Mickey Rooney and important business leaders like Louis B. Mayer and Edsel Ford.
However, the hotel faced money problems in the 1950s and 1960s. By the early 1980s, many rooms were rented by the week or month. The building was almost torn down. Instead, it was turned into the "Harrington Inn." This new inn was a special home for seniors who needed help with daily living. The Harrington Inn closed its doors in 2017.
What the Hotel Looks Like
The Harrington Hotel is a five-story building. It is made of red brick and sits on a corner. The building's design mixes two styles:
- Richardsonian Romanesque: This style uses strong, heavy shapes. You can see it in the building's three-part front and its round, deeply set windows.
- Classical Revival: This style uses ideas from ancient Greek and Roman buildings. You can see it in the fancy wooden porches and decorative panels.
Outside Details
The front of the hotel has windows placed in a balanced way. The first floor has large, round-arched windows facing Military Street. On the Wall Street side, there are smaller windows grouped in threes.
The second and third floors have regular double-hung windows. The fourth floor has large, round-arched openings with doors and windows. The fifth floor has small, round-arched windows in pairs.
A decorative railing once ran along the top of the building. The main entrance faces Military Street. It has a two-story porch with columns and a decorative railing above. Another entrance on the Wall Street side has a similar porch.
A small coffee shop was added in the 1930s. At the back of the hotel, there is a two-and-a-half-story brick section. This part was built with the original hotel and holds the kitchen and other important rooms.
