This file portion of www.watertownhistory.org website
Van Alstine's Exchange Hotel
NE corner of Main and First streets
Later site of Merchant’s
Bank
Jacob
Bell Van Alstine
Henry Gilman of Madison, whose father built the first
dam and erected the first sawmill here in the late 30’s of 1800, came Saturday
[1911
Homecoming] and called on “Fabe” Cooley,
who was his playmate in 1840. They together
caught bullheads near the sawmill that General
John C. Gilman built. The “Exchange”
or Van Alstine Hotel was also erected by Gen.
Gilman. He sawed lumber and floated it
down Rock River to build houses at Jefferson and Fort Atkinson. Watertown Gazette, 08 10 1911
Image
WHS_005_773
Van
Alstine Hotel [same as Exchange Hotel or Van Alstine Exchange Hotel] c.1860
This
building was moved in the 1890’s and is now part of the M&M Bar on S. First
St.
Note
Bank of Watertown, to the left, behind hotel.
Site later occupied by WTTN Radio.
1858
07
22 A sort of miscellaneous vagrant, B.
B. Vandercook, at the Exchange Hotel of this city, sneaked away
without paying his bill WD
1859
01
13 Probably
the largest hog ever fatted in this market was slaughtered by Mr. J. B. Van
Alstine of the Exchange WD
04
14 Profusely supplied tables; Van Alstine’s
election has not made him any the less attentive to guests WD
05
19 Alderman Van Alstine of the Exchange
is a model of a corporation father and
a pattern of a hotel keeper WG
10 11 Completion
of Chicago and North Western Railroad celebrated at Exchange WD
1860
01
12 Hotel ripped off by fine looking female WD
03
22 Early vegetables being served WD
11
23 A
prince of Landlords WR
Travelers
who visit our city and looked up at the Exchange By J. B. Van Alstyne, Esq.,
uniformly have an exalted opinion of Watertown, and well they may. After sitting at the best of tables the
country affords, occupying the most cleanly and best furnished apartments, and
being waited upon in the kindest manner, it is not in nature for a man to be
out of humor either himself or the rest of mankind. We hear the highest complements paid to this
house by the guests, who having once put up at it, are sure to call often as
possible after. As is usual in such cases,
large share of the credit is due Mrs. V., who, in addition to the most valuable
social, and moral qualities, has those still more rare, indispensable to a good
landlady.
1876
08 24 Fire at ice house of Exchange
Hotel WD
1881
1881 Signage. Portion of 005_611
1889
01 04 The Central House, corner of Main and First streets, formerly the Van
Alstine Hotel, has been re-opened by B. F. Watson and is now ready for business. He has had the place fitted up in good shape,
and he means to make it pleasant for all patrons. He is a first class man, and all who stop at
his house will find that he will use them well.
He should receive his share of trade, and our people should make an
effort to see that he gets a good foothold here in business. WG
1900
03 02 Clayton Watson died suddenly at the home of his parents, by B. F. Watson and wife, at Lake Mills on Thursday, February
22, 1900, aged about 35 years. He was a
former resident of Watertown, his father being proprietor of the old Exhange Hotel, which stood on the present site of the
Merchant’s Bank. WG
Cross
References:
Article on Van Alstine and Exchange
hotel in Watertown History Annual #2,
2007, pg 1-12.
Van Alstine, Mary (Silas Wright), Daughter of Jacob Van Alstine
Van Alstine's
Exchange Hotel, Temporary residence of first mayor
Van Alstine's
Exchange Hotel, Van Alstine's Exchange
