The Merchant’s Hotel hosted businessmen and acted as an economic channel that allowed residents to advertise their services during their stay. The hotel fought for precedence over the Manhattan Hotel and the Hotel San Carols. The rooms in the Merchant’s Hotel featured European style décor, “…running water in every room, free bath, bell and hotel service.”[1] The owner allowed visitors to conduct small business ventures during their stay. A tailoring business owned by Alex Price instructed customers request an audience with Frank B. Gardener at the Merchant’s Hotel, where the current line of styles is housed.[2] Captain James Kryger owned the building for nearly thirty years. Captain Kryger arrived in Pensacola when his ship, the Cordellera, wrecked in the area.. The ship’s mast was heavily damaged. Kryger was a member of the prominent social club The Concordia Club (established ca.1883).
Hotels functioned as social venues as well as permanent housing. His role in the city continued to escalate: Kryger became “one of the pioneers in the hotel business in Pensacola.”[3] It was located on the southwest corner of Palafox and Government street. The hotel had a bizarre incident January 10, 1905 when a horse, standing in front of the Merchants Hotel, reacted to a loud noise and slammed into a laundry wagon. Unfortunately, the horse injured itself during its escape.[4] On September 27, 1907, “James McGibbon Purchases Property and Lease from Captain Kryger.” Kryger split the leasing rights between H.O Anson and McGibbon. The new owner James McGibbon acted as the purchasing agent for a lumber company called the Southern States Lumber Company. Captain Kryger died one year later. On August 24, 1918, R.J. Hamilton sold all of his rights and interests in the Merchant’s Hotel to Nick Condon. The Merchant’s Hotel continued on this pattern until it became the Gilbert Hotel around 1939.
Recommended Readings
“Hotel People Ask for the Passage of a Bill.” The Pensacola Journal. 20 April 1911. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn87062268/1911-04-20/ed-1/seq-2/.
[1] “New Merchant’s Hotel.” The Pensacola Journal. (Pensacola, Fla.), 04 Sept. 1912. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Library of Congress. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn87062268/1912-09-04/ed-1/seq-6/
[2] “Notice.” The Pensacola Journal. (Pensacola, Fla.), 26 Jan. 1905. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Library of Congress. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn87062268/1905-01-26/ed-1/seq-8/.
[3] “Merchants’ Hotel Sold.” The Pensacola Journal. (Pensacola, Fla.), 27 September 1907. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Library of Congress. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn87062268/1907-09-27/ed-1/seq-5/.
[4] Laundry Wagon Smashed by Runaway Horse.” The Pensacola Journal. (Pensacola, Fla.), 10 Jan. 1905. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Library of Congress. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn87062268/1905-01-10/ed-1/seq-8/.
Featured Image:
“The Merchant’s Hotel”. 1939. UWF Archives. http://pulsegulfcoast.com/2016/07/vintage-photos-pensacolas-palafox-street-years.
Author: Mariah Mills
Researcher ID: 0000-0002-5323-8034