The Colonnade Inn (Sea Isle City) facts for kids
The Colonnade Inn is a really old and special building in Sea Isle City, New Jersey. It's one of the oldest buildings there! It's also the very last building left that shows off the beautiful Victorian style of architecture in Sea Isle City. Think of it as a living piece of history, showing us how buildings used to look long ago.
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A Look Back: The Colonnade's Story
Built for Summer Fun
The Colonnade Inn was first built in 1883. Back then, it was called "The Colonnade Hotel." It was a popular summer hotel. Many people from Philadelphia would visit Sea Isle City. They came to escape the hot city summer. This was long before air conditioners were invented! The hotel helped them cool down by the ocean.
Surviving Through Time
The Colonnade Inn is very special because it's the only hotel left from before the 1900s. It's a fantastic example of Victorian architecture. This building has been through a lot! It has survived many big storms that hit the coast. It has also avoided being torn down for new buildings. It truly is a survivor!
New Owners, New Life
In 1940, the Dorsam family bought the Colonnade. They changed it into apartments. The Dorsam family owned and managed the building for many years, until 1990. Then, Dr. Carolyn Crawford bought it. She turned it into a bed and breakfast. A bed and breakfast is a smaller, cozy place where you can stay and get breakfast. In 2004, the Colonnade Inn was fully fixed up. The goal was to keep its original look and important history safe for the future.
