Many Famous Persons Had Stopped at Hotel which was Constructed in 1897

Among those driven from offices and business houses by the fire was George H. Goodall, who erected the hotel building in 1897, and whose name appeared in large brick letters on the front of the building. Altho no longer owner of the building, Mr. Goodall for many years had occupied an office on the basement floor.

The Goodall Hotel which for many years was the principal hotel in the vicinity had an interesting history. W.H. Crawford who from 1904 to 1928 was clerk in the hotel recalled that it had entertained numerous celebrities. Among them were William Jennings Bryan, Sam Jones the evangelist, Admiral Richmond P. Hobson of U.S. Navy fame, F.S. Peabody, one time president of the Peabody Coal Company, former Illinois Governor Richard P. Yates, Roald Amundsen, the artic explorer, Bob Fitzsimmons, Jess Williard, both at different times the world’s heavyweight champions, and many others.

The hotel was operated early in its history by C.R. Barnhardt, who sold it to A.L. DeGignac in 1909. In 1916 the hotel was taken over by Ira Starr to manage it until 1928 when it was purchased by I.D. Bell. In 1928, it was acquired by Nick Papalas of Johnston City.The hotel building itself was owned by Mr. Goodall for many years altho he never operated the hotel. Later it was sold to the Citizens Trust & Banking Company and passed to the Marion Trust & Savings Bank in the merger with the Marion State and Savings Bank. During the receivership of the merged bank, it was sold at auction to Louise Gudder.

(Source: Marion Daily Republican, March 4, 1941)