Waldeck Hotel

Waldeck Hotel, 92 East Street, Kingston

The first web mention of the address is Elsie Elizabeth Taylor, daughter of Joseph Taylor and Elizabeth his wife, planter, residence 92 East St Kingston, age 7 years, baptized 6/2/1895.
First Gleaner mention is in 1901, when the property is listed for sale in an auction. The property has 150 feet of frontage on East St, and 165 feet on Beeston St. The property extends to Johns Lane (now Georges Lane).
In 1904, the first ad for a hotel appears. Mrs. E.W. Doidge is the proprietress.
In 1906, dances and concerts are being held at the hotel.
In 1907, Mr. M.K. Auerbach, Optician from Montreal, opened up a temporary optical office.
Starting in August 1907, the hotel was using 90 and 92 East St. The hotel has been entirely renovated and repaired, and the adjoining premises annexed. S.C. Abrahams is now the proprietress. Ads, almost daily, continue through August 1909. After this number 90 was no longer used. Ad changed in August 1908 and March 1909.
In December 1907, the annual dinner of the Holborn Yacht Club was held at the hotel.
In fall 1909, meetings and dinners are being held at the hotel.
In August 1910, the hotel is listed for sale. The hotel is still operating.
In February 1912, The hotel is again listed for sale.
In March 1912, the hotel is put up for auction.
In April 1912, an ad points out that the hotel is still operating.
In November 1912, G.W. Abrahams posts the he has left the Waldeck, and will be helping to open The Hotel Jamaica.
A few days later, Mrs. MacDougall posts that she has left the Marine Gardens Hotel, and is now managing the Waldeck. Those ads continued for a few weeks.
In 1913, they were selling fresh cow's milk twice a day. At least to 1921. At times, they also sold firewood and honey.
In January 1913, T.A. Allen is selling a harness, horse and cycles.
In February 1914, up to 10 milk cows with calves were for sale.
In August 1915, the hotel had 22 bedrooms. Three baths in house, all necessary out-buildings. This was the beginning of frequent ads.
In October 1915, the hotel is listed for sale as a going concern. Frequent ads on and off through August 1916.
In April 1916, a branch of Ice Cream Parlor opens in the hotel. Light suppers are served. Frequent ads start.
In 1917, T.A. Allen was selling numerous items from 92 East St. A few months later more things were for sale.
In July 1917, modern dance lessons are held at the hotel.
In April 1918, many sizes of car tires and tubes were for sale.
In November 1918, ads started listing the hotel for sale. They repeated daily for two weeks.
In February 1921, there was a public auction for a lot of furniture from a gentleman that is leaving the island.
On the day of the auction, Mrs. G.B. MacDougall, the proprietress, places an ad stating that the hotel is not going out of business (as rumoured).
For many months, during 1922, various furniture was being sold by T. Allen. Including obsolescent kitchen equipment.
In August 1922, Mrs. G.B. MacDougall posts that she is leaving the island, and her daughter will now supervise.
In December 1922, a variety of sows and young pigs were for sale. The most expensive was £15.
A couple weeks later, turkeys were for sale on December 23rd.
In March 1923, the hotel was selling a donkey, cart, and harness.
In June 1923, a piano, furniture, chairs, and a carpet were for sale.
In September 1923, there is a notice that the hotel has been sold, and there is an auction for everything inside. Not everything sold on the first day, so the sale continued. Then ads in the Gleaner to sell the rest. Then a few months later a Hudson Super-Six motor car was for sale.
In March 1924, the hotel reopened after having been thoroughly renovated. More rooms now have baths.
On September 20, 1924, Mrs. R.G.A. Foster writes that she is back on the island and business has resumed.
Advertising in the Gleaner starts in April 1925. They stopped in December 1925.
In May 1925, many items of furniture are for sale.
In July 1925, in addition to furniture, a gas stove is for sale.
In April 1926, an auction was held for a large quantity of furniture.
In October 1926, Mrs. G.B. McDougall posts that she is not now to be found at the Waldeck Hotel. Her present address is in St. Andrew.
In November 1926, the new proprietress is Miss Zoe McLennan.
In August 1927, the hotel is for rent. 16 rooms, partly furnished. Ads repeated.
In September and October 1927, the hotel is for sale.
In August 1928, Mrs MacDougall dies in the states.
In January 1929, C.P. Scott, of the hotel, won second prize in the Missing Ball Competition.
In July 1929, the hotel is for sale. Offers invited. Main building containing large reception room, open air dining room, drawing room, 8 bedrooms, bar, one large hall, verandah, pantry and kitchen and toilet. Annex Containing 6 bedrooms, 2 bath rooms, 2 toilets. Etc.
In October 1931, Mrs. Annie Tucker died at the hotel. She was the hotel owner.
In July 1932, the hotel is advertised for sale by auction. It did not sell.
A simple for sale ad appears with the same ad repeating. Then the ad shrinks and it is lease or purchase. Then the ad grows.
In November 1932, the sale price is £400 cash. The hotel has two storys and 18 apartments.
On December 15, 1932, the price drops to £350 cash.
On December 19, 1932, the price drops to £300 cash.
On January 19, 1933, it is now "bargain on terms." No reasonable offer will be refused.
On January 25, 1933, it is now "Bargain—Sacrificing to sell." This continues to February 8th.
On February 11, 1933, it was posted that the hotel would reopen on February 13th as the Royal Palm Hotel. [This is also the name of a hotel in Linstead.] Geo. A. Stephens is now manager. Advertisements start in the Gleaner.
On March 8, 1933, it was posted that Mr. Frederick M Ellis has transferred the hotel to Mrs. Leonorah L. McLaren for £1,200.
In March 1933, rooms were for rent, furnished and unfurnished. All renovated and freshly painted.
In April 1933, there was a Friday night dance. Apparently regular. Advertised again in December.
In July 1933, the hotel is seeking a doctor or dentist to rent the front suite of three apartments.
In November 1934, a meeting was held with rival wrestling factions.
In January 1935, an ad appears. Emphasizes food. Permanent guests are £2 weekly. This is the last usage of the Royal Palm Hotel name.
By July 1936, the hotel is back to being called the Waldeck Hotel.
On March 22, 1937, an unidentied lodger is found dead in bed. He committed suicide by drinking nitro benzine.
In August 1939, the hotel is for sale as a going concern. It has 64 rooms.
In a 1941 position wanted ad, Waldeck Hotel was used as the person's address.
In February 1957, a watchman at the hotel sustained a bullet wond to the chest.
In September 1964, a hotel guest is found dead. See clipping.
In July 1974, a divorce proceedings referred to adultery at the hotel the prior year.
In January 1993, a fire gutted a building, but apparently not the hotel
In June 1993, the hotel is listed for sale by public auction. The ad, on the auction date of August 5, 1993, is the last Gleaner mention of the hotel.