THE EARLY YEARS
1880-1914
OCT, 1884
The earliest known owner and operator is Anton Langsdorf. This 1884 map shows the name of the business to be Langsdorf's Boarding House with a connected saloon. The street number looks like it used to be 3419 3rd St. There is also no road or alley on the south side of the building which today is Langsdorf St.
MAY, 1898
A new sewer line was added down the current day Langsdorf St. The boarding house is still at 1203 and the saloon at 1201.
JUNE 30, 1908
Gustave Findorff gets license to run the saloon at 1201 and Frank Lemanski gets license for 1203
FEB 26, 1912
An article from the record-herald showing Frank Lemanski (Olympia Hotel) and his winnings.
NOV, 1891
It appears that sometime between 1884 and 1891 the street addresses were changed. The building now shows 1201 (a saloon) and 1203 (a boarding house) in the same building. Still no name for the alley.
JUNE, 1904
The first floor could be the dining hall and the second is for tenants. 1201 is still a saloon.
JUNE 7, 1909
Liquor license granted to Henry Langsdorf for 1201 Third st.
DEC, 1912
This map has the closest footprint of the building to what it is today. The name of the establishment was Olympia Hotel, run by Frank Lemanski. Sometime between 1904 and 1912 half of the building on the 1203 side was removed and the corner entrance was added. Also, the whole building is now 1203. The number 1201 moved to the building across the alley (present-day Langsdorf St.) and also operated as a saloon.
THE GORSKI YEARS
AND PROHIBITION
1914-1935
John Gorski's first known application to sell "intoxicating
liquors" at 1203 Third St. was in 1915. He changed the name to St. Paul Hotel and also ran the Gorski Saloon below it.
SUMMER 1914
3rd Street. The boarding house became the St. Paul Hotel once John Gorski bought the establishment. You can see the awning and part of the sign on the right. Across the street is the Northwestern House, which is now called the Polock Inn
JUNE 5, 1915
JULY 6, 1915
JUNE 12, 1919
JANUARY 16, 1919
John Gorski had a hard time adjusting to the new state prohibition laws. Despite having many charges and trouble with the feds, he managed to hold onto the establishment throughout the prohibition years.
AUGUST 23, 1920
The first article in the record-herald about Gorski and his troubles with the new law.
SEPTEMBER 1922
John Gorski pleaded guilty to a liquor law violation in municipal court and was fined $250.
FEBRUARY 9, 1926
FEBRUARY 1921
John Gorski pleaded guilty to a liquor law violation in municipal court and was fined $250.
MAY 7, 1921
A help-wanted ad for the Saint Paul Hotel.
JUNE 29, 1921
The committee detailed that licenses would be granted for selling alcoholic liquors containing not to exceed one-half of one percent of alcohol. Gorski was recommended for refusal. His wife filed an application instead and was granted a "Permit A" for 1203 3rd. St.
NOVEMBER 27, 1923
A humorous story on getting busted selling liquor again.
HISTORIANS AT WORK... MORE TO COME