180.1013.1

Roland (Iowa) had two hotels in the 1890s as shown here before there were any automobiles lining the street. The photo looks south- westerly from the north end of the business street. The two hotels were located at the north end. The one on the southeast corner, as shown here on the left, was the Iowa Central Hotel; the one on the northwest corner of the same intersection was the City Hotel. These hotels enjoyed a good business in the days when traveling men [travelling salesmen] were their best customers. The Roland Museum has the registers for these hotels on display.On Octorber 24, 1896, William McKinley and William Jennings Bryan signed in as guests of the City Hotel. (McKinley defeated Bryan for the U.S. presidency in 1896 and again in 1900). As in most Iowa towns, these hotels were located close to the railroad depot that was within the block to their north. (See also: 180.1014.1-4; 208.1178.2-4)