Leopold Hotel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Leopold Hotel
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 Location in Washington (state)
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| Location | 1224 Cornwall Ave., Bellingham, Washington |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1889 |
| Architect | Stevens, H.L., Co. |
| Architectural style | Mission Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 82004306 |
| Added to NRHP | February 19, 1982 |
The Leopold is a historic building located in Bellingham, Washington. It was first built in 1889. Over the years, this building has had different names and uses. It started as a grand hotel, later became a home for seniors, and is now being transformed into apartments and a new hotel. The Leopold is an important landmark because it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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The Leopold Hotel: A Historic Building
The building we now know as The Leopold was originally called the Byron Hotel. It was named after its first owner, Captain H.C. Byron. He owned the hotel until 1910.
New Owners and a New Name
In 1910, a man named Leopold F. Schmidt bought the Byron Hotel. He paid $100,000 for it. Schmidt was a very important businessman. He was the person who started the famous Olympia Brewing Company. After Schmidt bought the hotel, its name was changed to the Hotel Leopold. This was done to honor him. When Schmidt first bought the hotel, it had 93 rooms.
A Home for a Famous Artist
The Leopold Hotel was once home to a well-known artist named Sydney Laurence. He was famous for his paintings of Alaska. Sydney Laurence often stayed at the hotel. Because he didn't always have cash, he would sometimes trade his paintings to Mr. Schmidt to pay for his room. Today, the Schmidt family still owns many of his artworks. They have one of the largest private collections of Sydney Laurence's paintings.
Changes Over the Years
In the 1980s, The Leopold building changed its purpose. It became a community for retirement living. During this time, the building was updated with many renovations. This made it a comfortable place for seniors to live.
A New Chapter for The Leopold
In December 2018, the Leopold announced it would no longer be a retirement living center. Then, in April 2019, new plans were shared. The building would be turned into residential apartments. Part of it would also become a new boutique hotel. This new hotel was named Hotel Leo. It was planned to open in July 2019.
A Historic Landmark
The Leopold building is recognized as a significant piece of history. It was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 19, 1982. This listing helps protect the building and recognizes its importance.
