THE VALLEY CITY HOTEL

The Valley City Hotel, corner of poplar and Walnut Streets, was open for business as early as 10 Feb. 1876.  On that date, the marriage of JOHN B. BOGART, Columbus Grove, to ELEANOR HOOD, was officiated by Rev. Shepherd in the hotel and reported in the SIDNEY DEMOCRAT. (This marriage is not recorded in the shelby County Probate Court.)

In January 1877 the theft by three tramps who entered the hotel was noted. They committed the crime of stealing the colored porter’s hat.  Also in that month an old man from Union county complained to the Marshal that some convidence men had won $5.00 and a watch from him in an illegal card game.  The Marshal retrieved the money and the watch.

ROBERT REED was the proprietor of the hotel in January 1882 when the JOURNAL reported that Reed’s son had left town after being accused of responsibility for the delicate condition of one of the dining room girls. A warrant had been served for young Reed’s arrest the month before but he could not be found.

A little later in 1882, SAMUEL KEE, a Chinaman, opened a laundry in the basement of the hotel. Also in that year a Dr. Charles Goodrich rented rooms for free consultation and examination of persons requiring medical attention. He stayed ten days and it was reported he sw an average of 50 patients per day.  Dr. Goodrich advertised he could tell patients the nature and subsequent treatment of their illnesses without asking any questions.

By 1912 the Valley City, at 125 W. Poplar, was referred to in the city directory as the Metropole.  However, in January 1924 when S.D. Crumbaugh took charge, he advertised as the “Valley City Hotel, formerly the Metropole…”  He announced installation of a restaurant and lunch counter.  Mr. Crumbaugh left in less than a year and in August 1924, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Farley, owners, advertised the Valley City “formerly Metropole” for sale.  In December 1924 it was purchased by A.H. Ringlespaugh of Toledo.

The last advertisement for the Valley City in the Sidney Directory was in 1946.