The Central House Hotel is an Italianate hotel located in Boscobel, Wisconsin. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.[1]

Central House Hotel
Central House Hotel
Location1005 Wisconsin Ave.
Boscobel, Wisconsin
Coordinates43°08′04″N 90°42′20″W / 43.13448°N 90.70555°W / 43.13448; -90.70555
Architectural styleItalianate
NRHP reference No.96001361
Added to NRHPNovember 27, 1996

History edit

The hotel was built by Adam Bobel, a Prussian immigrant who had served with the 20th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment during the American Civil War.[2] After a fire in 1881, the building was largely re-built. In 1898, the hotel was overly crowded due to a lumberman's convention.[3] Two salesmen, John H. Nicholson of Janesville, Wisconsin and Samuel E. Hill of Beloit, Wisconsin, were sharing a room since no single rooms were available. During their stay, the men began to talk about their Christian faith. They would discuss the need for an organization that would provide mutual help and recognition for Christian travelers. In 1899, the two men, along with William J. Knights of Janesville, met again and founded Gideons International. Though the first official meeting took place in Janesville, the organization has always identified the Central House Hotel in Boscobel as the place of its founding.[4][5]

References edit

  1. ^ "Central House Hotel: Boscobel, Wisconsin". Find the Data.org. Archived from the original on 2012-07-10. Retrieved 2012-02-17.
  2. ^ "Welcome to Boscobel Hotel and Central House". Boscobel Hotel and Central House. Archived from the original on 2011-02-07. Retrieved 2012-02-17.
  3. ^ "Area Attractions". City of Boscobel. Archived from the original on 2012-02-05. Retrieved 2012-02-17.
  4. ^ "Central House Hotel". Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved 2016-05-29.
  5. ^ Heggland, Timothy F. (1995-06-15). "Central House Hotel". NRHP Inventory-Nomination Form. National Park Service. Retrieved 2016-05-29.