The St. Cloud Hotel in Chandler, opened in 1904, and as with so many places in this historic county, lived a full and interesting life. Progress, however, is often a heartless beast, pushing aside the aging, weary or well-worn, in a greedy push to a always better and glittering "future." Shoved aside the pillars of the community, buildings deemed significant in the growth and development of the town, are forgotten, abandoned, and abused.
1904 Ad - Chandler Paper, A.E. Johnson, prop.
Chandler City Council recently approved and scheduled demolition of the property listed on the register of historic places.
Described as : THE ST. CLOUD HOTEL IS AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF AN EARLY HOTEL THAT CAPITALIZED ON THE GROWING NUMBER OF ROUTE 66 TRAVELERS AND SALESMEN. THIS TWO-STORY BUILDING CONSTRUCTED OF NATIVE SANDSTONE AND BRICK WITH AN ADDITION IN 1929. THE SECOND FLOOR IS COVERED WITH AN ORNATE PRESSED TIN FACADE DECORATED WITH CLASSICAL COLUMNS AND ROSETTES, AND CAPPED WITH A LARGE PRESSED TIN CORNICE. LISTED IN NATIONAL REGISTER 4/5/1984 WITH ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION 2/23/1995.
What are the stories of this hotel, this block, and this street?
Now is the time for every community to evaluate what is important to their story, do all they can to find funds, investors, donors, etc. to preserve that unique bit of their history. A community without an appreciation of their diverse and unique history will be a community that fades silently away from lack of care. A people with out a history are like a tree without any roots.
Then, tell the stories of the town, the good, the bad, and the scandalous! That is what people want to hear and want to know! Stories of struggle, survival, vision, faith, challenges, and endurance.
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MAH
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