Hotel Janzen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hotel Janzen |
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The Janzen House in 2017
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| Location | Marquette, Michigan |
| Designated | May 8, 1984 |
| Reference no. | P24136 |
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The Hotel Janzen is a special building in Marquette, Michigan. It used to be a hotel for people traveling by train. Today, it's known as the Janzen House and helps people who need a safe place to stay. This historic building was built a long time ago, in the early 1890s. It's even listed as a Michigan State Historic Site, which means it's an important part of Michigan's history.
History of the Janzen Building
The Hotel Janzen was built in either 1890 or 1893. It was designed by a local architecture company called Lovejoy and Demar. The hotel was built right near the Duluth, South Shore and Atlantic Railway (DSS&A) train station. This made it very easy for train travelers to find a place to stay.
The hotel had 34 rooms. It was considered very modern for its time, even offering "hot and cold water" to guests. The first person to run the hotel was William M. Janzen.
Saving the Janzen House
In the summer of 1977, the hotel started having problems. It wasn't meeting health and safety rules. Then, in 1983, a fire badly damaged the building. It looked like the hotel might have to be torn down.
But a group of people formed a committee called "Save the Janzen." They worked hard to raise money, collecting $30,000. The city of Marquette also helped by matching these funds. In January 1984, the committee bought the building.
They renovated the old hotel and opened it as the Janzen House. This new place became a non-profit shelter. It helps people in the Marquette area who might not have a home. The shelter can provide a safe place for about 30 people.
On May 8, 1984, the building was officially named a Michigan State Historic Site. This was because of its interesting design and its importance to Marquette's history during its busy years.
Architecture of the Hotel Janzen
The Hotel Janzen was designed in the Late Victorian style. It is a tall, narrow, rectangular building with three stories. The outside is made of brick, and it has a sloped roof. The building sits on a strong stone foundation.
At the front corner of the building, there is a special tower. It has a triangular roof and a round window. On top of this tower is an eight-sided turret, which is like a small, decorative tower. There is also an open porch across the front of the building, where guests could relax.
