Grand Rapids Hotel Frederick Hinde Zimmerman

the grand rapids hotel, appeared in 1922.

zimmerman s uncle captain charles t. hinde, shipping magnate played important role in development of southern california through various investments john d. spreckels , e. s. babcock, mentored zimmerman in business strategies. specifically, zimmerman , hinde discussed hotel del coronado investment, hinde had contributed in late 1880s. on years zimmerman traveled coronado, california visit hinde.

when hinde died in 1915, left zimmerman , harry hinde substantial portion of estate. adjusting inflation, zimmerman inherited millions estate. after estate settled in 1917, zimmerman decided use portion of money establish hotel , resort on hinde family farm next grand rapids dam; before start, had wait conclusion of world war i. construction of hotel began sometime in 1919 or 1920 , continued until hotel completed on august 7, 1922. few months after opening of hotel, zimmerman s wife, agnes, died. hotel, easy access due railroad , wabash river, immediate success , attracted people across country. advertised in many of leading national newspapers in united states, , expanded full resort golf, baseball, trap shoots, boating, , many other activities.

zimmerman chose hired laborer o.l. rapson, had worked @ family farm , lived in small house next his, grand rapids hotel s first manager. fired in 1924 after sudden death of zimmerman , replaced rapson s friend glenn goodart @ request of zimmerman s children. in 1929, goodart burned hotel ground dropping blowtorch in basement shop; not rebuilt due onset of great depression , lack of available funds.