Hotel Rogers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Hotel Rogers
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 Location in Wisconsin
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| Location | 103 E Maple Ave, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin |
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| Built | 1927–1928 |
| NRHP reference No. | 89000120 |
The Hotel Rogers is a historic building in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. It was built between 1927 and 1928 by Fred Rogers. Before the hotel, a lumber and building supply store stood on this spot. Fred Rogers, who led a company called Malleable Iron Range, wanted to build a nice hotel. He hoped it would attract tourists and business travelers to the city. In 1931, more space was added to the sixth floor. Fred's daughter, Ann Rogers-Pfieffer, managed the hotel until 1987.
Contents
Hotel Features and Services
What the Hotel Offered
The Hotel Rogers had many useful features for its guests. On the first floor, there was a big kitchen and a dining room. This dining room served as a restaurant part-time. It was also used for meetings and special events.
Shops and Relaxation Areas
Guests could find other helpful services inside the hotel. There was a coffee shop for quick snacks and drinks. A drug store was available for any needs, along with a barber shop and a beauty salon. Female guests had a special writing room or parlor to relax in. Male guests could enjoy a bar, which served drinks quietly even when alcohol was not allowed in many places.
Modern Updates and Apartments
Changes in 1987
In 1987, a group of businesses bought the Hotel Rogers. They decided to give the building a big makeover. Many of the old hotel rooms were combined to create larger apartments. The main reception areas were decorated with antique furniture. New carpets, similar to the original ones, were put in. Old fluorescent lights were replaced with beautiful bronze chandeliers and wall lights that had Tiffany-style glass shades. The goal was to update the building while keeping its original look.
Hotel Rogers Today
Today, the building is mostly an apartment complex. It has 41 apartments and 20 sleeping rooms available for rent each month. The Hotel Rogers was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. This means it is recognized as an important historical site.
Famous Visitors and Movie Appearances
Notable Guests
Many people say that famous visitors have stayed at the Hotel Rogers. These include George H. W. Bush and President John F. Kennedy. John F. Kennedy reportedly visited during his campaign to become president. The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum has a record of a speech he gave there in 1960.
On the Big Screen
The hotel's front desk even appeared in a movie! It was featured in the 2009 film Public Enemies. Parts of the movie were filmed in the area in 2008. The building received more updates in 2018.
Current Ownership
The company that owns the building now is called Downtown Rogers, Inc. Their offices are located right inside the building.
Images for kids
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View from the northeast
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The north entrance
