Historic Northwestern Hotel comes down

By GUY PRIEL

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- The mild weather on Saturday drew dozens of residents and former residents to the 100 block of South Valley as another piece of New Ulm's link to the 19th century was laid to rest with the demolition of the former Northwestern Hotel.

"Just because we are entering the 21st century doesn't mean we have to destroy our links to the past," one resident, who asked to remain nameless, said. "We are losing touch with our history one building at a time."

The building, which failed to achieve landmark status, suffered from extensive structural damage and water damage. It had pretty much been considered a lost cause and fell just short of being condemned by the city, resident Mark Elijah said.

"I wanted to do something with the building and have toured it four times," he said. "It has a lot of history, but has just been let go too long. I wish it wasn't being destroyed, but I can't argue with the decision."

The owner, Corey Heck, has no immediate plans for the property, but stated that all the neighbors were glad the building was being torn down, because of problems with loose bricks.

"I will try to save the Beyer's sign and have considered donating some of the stuff to the museum," Heck said. "I think they should have a part of the building."

The property was never listed as a local landmark, but it was placed on the Heritage Preservation Commission's list of potential historic inventory for future study, Commission Chairman Christine DeSouza said.

"It's a sad day for all of us," Brown County Historical Society Spokesperson Darla Gebhard said. "It's not just a building, it's a personal part of my history."

Gebhard, who is a great-granddaughter of Henry Cordes, the original owner and builder, stated that there is a mule head on the chimney, which is the trademark left by her family on buildings they stuccoed.

"I am trying to save a piece of the trademark that is located in the second floor closet," local resident Wayne Plagge said. "It is sad to see it torn down, but what can you do? It would be nice if it could be remodeled."

Plagge, who is a great-grandson of Cordes, has talked to other family members about the possibility of erecting a marker commemorating the building.

"The location of the building is not really good for it to have been useful," DeSouza said. "We didn't get a lot of notice about the demolition and it did have the potential for preservation. The biggest problem was with funds."

Tearing buildings down is just a part of progress, resident Clifford Cordes said. Although he is the last surviving grandson of Henry, he never really gave much thought to a personal connection with the building, even while boarding there in 1945.

The building, although bearing the name Beyer's at the time of its destruction, has a long history dating back to 1872, when it was built as the Northwestern Hotel by henry Cordes, a native of Rupke, Hanover, Germany.

Realizing the potential the railroad would bring Cordes moved to New Ulm, where he constructed a building to provide lodging and food for travelers on the Chicago Northwestern Railroad.

In 1896, an arsonist set fire to the building, destroying everything except the basement. The owner, Herman Nagel, rebuilt the structure to two stories and the Cordes Barber Shop was built in the hotel.

In 1912, the building was sold to August Beyer, who owned the Courtland Hotel and Bar. He added a grocery store, a sun porch and a third story for his personal living quarters. The name was changed to Beyer's Hotel and a cocktail lounge was added to the building.

During the 1950s, railroad travel dwindled and Beyer's became famous for fine dining and steaks. In an attempt to protect the doomed building as long as possible, throughout the years the lounge has been opened as the Goosetown Limited, DeLeo's Villa, Die Lorelei Cocktail Lounge.

The bar was removed from the building in 1997 and relocated to Vaigel's Kaiserhoff. The bar, which is 22 feet long, was brought from Montana in 1914 and purchased by August Beyer in Tyler.

Removal of the bar signalled the end of the building's usefulness, forever sealing its fate, Gebhard said.