Former St. Nicholas Hotel & Annex, Springfield, Illinois
A blue hour view of the former St. Nicholas Hotel (tall building) and Annex in the 100 block of N. Fourth St. in Springfield's historic downtown. This view is to the northeast just south of the intersection of Fourth & Washington St.
The St. Nicholas Hotel is a historic hotel building located in downtown Springfield. The original building of the St. Nicholas Hotel was constructed in 1855, and no longer exists. A 6-story annex, seen here to the right of the main building, was built on the hotel in 1910, and the current 11-story main building was constructed in 1924.
The Georgian Revival-style main building was designed by the New York City architectural firm H.L. Stevens and Company. When the current main building opened, it was the second-tallest building in Springfield after the State Capitol.
During sessions of the Illinois General Assembly, the St. Nicholas Hotel became a meeting place for Illinois politicians. The hotel has hosted many notable visitors to Springfield, including U.S. Presidents Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and John F. Kennedy.
In Illinois political lore, the St. Nicholas is best known as the residence of Paul Powell during his tenure from 1965 to 1970 as Illinois Secretary of State. Within days after his death in 1970, the executor of Powell's will found $750,000 in cash stored in shoeboxes, briefcases, and strongboxes in Powell's suite. Another $50,000 was found in his office. As the money greatly exceeded Powell's salary, which was at the most $30,000 per year, a federal investigation examined Powell's behavior while in office. The investigation determined that Powell had acquired the money via illegal cash bribes and led to the imprisonment of several state contractors.
The hotel was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, and also is a contributing building to the Central Springfield Historic District. Today this historic hotel building has been repurposed as the St. Nicholas Apartments.
Former St. Nicholas Hotel & Annex, Springfield, Illinois
A blue hour view of the former St. Nicholas Hotel (tall building) and Annex in the 100 block of N. Fourth St. in Springfield's historic downtown. This view is to the northeast just south of the intersection of Fourth & Washington St.
The St. Nicholas Hotel is a historic hotel building located in downtown Springfield. The original building of the St. Nicholas Hotel was constructed in 1855, and no longer exists. A 6-story annex, seen here to the right of the main building, was built on the hotel in 1910, and the current 11-story main building was constructed in 1924.
The Georgian Revival-style main building was designed by the New York City architectural firm H.L. Stevens and Company. When the current main building opened, it was the second-tallest building in Springfield after the State Capitol.
During sessions of the Illinois General Assembly, the St. Nicholas Hotel became a meeting place for Illinois politicians. The hotel has hosted many notable visitors to Springfield, including U.S. Presidents Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and John F. Kennedy.
In Illinois political lore, the St. Nicholas is best known as the residence of Paul Powell during his tenure from 1965 to 1970 as Illinois Secretary of State. Within days after his death in 1970, the executor of Powell's will found $750,000 in cash stored in shoeboxes, briefcases, and strongboxes in Powell's suite. Another $50,000 was found in his office. As the money greatly exceeded Powell's salary, which was at the most $30,000 per year, a federal investigation examined Powell's behavior while in office. The investigation determined that Powell had acquired the money via illegal cash bribes and led to the imprisonment of several state contractors.
The hotel was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, and also is a contributing building to the Central Springfield Historic District. Today this historic hotel building has been repurposed as the St. Nicholas Apartments.