The Wilcox House

Construction of the Wilcox House began in 1858 by Mr. T. Goodwin.  The Wilcox House was said to be one of the finest and best-managed establishments in the region.  Legend has it the very first enrollee in Captain Kane's famous Bucktail Regiment was signed up at the Wilcox House. Kane would entertained his visiting dignitaries and other VIP guests here.  US President Ulysses S. Grant stayed here when visiting his friend Kane in Wilcox.

The Hotel had 40 sleeping rooms, a beautifully equipped bar and a spacious dining room. 

In 1923 the owner, E.B. Peterson, passed away and while his wife attempted to continue the business, was unable to properly operate the establishment.  The north wing of the building was demolished  in 1930 and the Hotel was eventually sold to Norman "Mugsy" Swanson in1936.

Swanson opened a confectionary store, shown above, in a section of the old hotel.  (note the Coke-Cola sign at the left of the above picture) The store operated until just 11 days prior to his death on July 11, 1978.  The building was then sold later that year to the owner of the Wilcox Garage next door, Mr. Carl M. Johnson.  The building remained empty until 1982, when fire broke out and gutted much of the structure.  The fire "of a suspicious cause" caused considerable damage to the upper floor and roof area resulting in an estimated $120,000 of damage.

The above photos show the former Wilcox House shortly after the fire that destroyed much of the top portion of structure. 

Below, was the scene on August 1, 1982 as the remains of the former Wilcox House were being hauled away. Alex Szymanski and his son Bart (operating the bulldozer on the left) performed the demolition. Carl Johnson, his son, Robert, James Fowler, and Gary Steudler assisted in hauling the debris away.