Stafford's Perry Hotel
History
The Perry Hotel was built in 1899 by Norman J. Perry, a dentist who abandoned his practice after the unfortunate demise of a patient who underwent multiple tooth extractions. The three-story brick structure, which was billed as “fireproof”, was painted in a cheerful combination of yellow and white and was an immediate success. The Perry became a lively social center for local residents and tourists and was well-known for its popular weekly dinners and dances. Across the street, the GRI Train Depot hosted as many as 15 trains per day carrying travelers to this fashionable Midwestern vacation area. The hotel expanded in 1926 with the addition of a 4-story, 46-room wing that doubled its capacity. The hotel was purchased by Stafford’s in 1989 and carefully restored with the aim of combining “old word style with new world spirit.”
