The Hotel Manning

The Hotel Manning. . , Built atop a limestone rubble foundation, Keosauqua's iconic landmark has a history that dates back to the founding of Keosauqua. There has been a myth surrounding the Hotel that claims it was built to house guests from the steamboats on the Des Moines River. The facts show that this era was well over by the time the Hotel was opened. The last commercial riverboat operated in 1862, 37 years before the opening of the Hotel. , The architectural style has been incorrectly described as "Steamboat Gothic", but is more correctly influenced by Queen Anne and Second Empire styles. The Hotel has a mansard roof, a square hip roof cupola and a two-story wrap-around porch divided into sections. Each section is divided by pillars topped with beautifully carved brackets. Between the brackets are rectangular panels inset with angled boards. Through the front door, the historic lobby is also graced with beautifully detailed woodwork, doors and windows. , The single-story building that predates the current structure was built by Edwin Manning in 1847 and was operated as a dry goods store. The current structure was built on the original foundation. , A Structure Both Grand and Resilient , In 1903, a flood inundated the building with 6 feet of water. This was the first time that rowboats floated in the lobby, carrying guests to the foot of the stairs. , The Davenport Era , 1997-2017 , The Hotel is purchased by the Davenports in 1991. The following years were filled with extensive renovations to the basement, 1st, and 2nd floors. The electrical service was updated, floors and deteriorating plaster were restored, as well as much of the woodwork, doors, and windows. , The Davenports continued the operation as a bed and breakfast and held special events in the dining room. The dining room also provided breakfast for guests and a brunch buffet for the public on Sundays. , Marvelous Mabel Miller , 1944 , Purchased by Edgar (d. 1951) and Mabel Miller (Owner 1944 to 1982), The Hotel Manning has always been the center of events for Keosauqua. From regular meals to special events, the dining rooms were always active, serving "Famous Food Since Pioneer Days". The historic accommodations were hardly modern, and the only telephone was in the lobby, but visitors were charmed by the old hotel. During WW2 the hotel dining room was used to provide meals and services. , Using federal funds, extensive interior renovation from 1975-1980 shored up the basement and the Hotel was replastered, repainted, rewired and the wood refinished. , Mabel's daughter Mary Lou and her husband Richard Mairet started managing the hotel and moved into the 3rd-floor apartment. Mabel was in charge of the dining room and her grandchildren helped manage the Sandbar. After owning the Hotel Manning for 44 years, Mabel Miller and her family sold the hotel to Gene and Darlene Maas in 1982. They owned the hotel for 9 years and contributed many renovations. , Changes and Milestones , . 1847-1854 The Manning Dry Goods Store and Bank were built., . 1892 Original one-story building burns and is rebuilt. , . 1898 Plans are made to convert the single-story Manning General Store and Bank building into a hotel with the addition of the second floor, verandas, and mansard-roofed attic above. At the end of June 1898, the local newspaper reported that Edwin Manning would build a new hotel at the cost of $10,000. , . 1899 The Hotel Manning opens. The Keosauqua Stateside Democrat reported: “[the new hotel] is a hostelry that is not surpassed in excellency of arrangement and luxuriency of furnishings in this part of Iowa.” , . 1963 The six-unit Motor Inn is constructed, as well as the Sample Room dining room. , . 1973 Hotel Manning listed on the National Register of Historic Places. , . 1975-1976 The popular Sandbar Lounge is added in the cellar's former coal room. , . 1986 Advertisement from 1986. From Hotel Manning History Document 2017. , . 1993 Two-story Riverview Inn building is constructed. , . 2019-2020 Extensive repair and redecoration is done in compliance with national historic guidelines. , A Community Investment , 2017 brought a unique change to the hotel's story when the hotel was purchased by a group of 75 local investors, the Hotel Manning Preservation Group LLC, who wanted to see the hotel renovated yet again and continue to host guests for another hundred years. , One of the newest owners reflect the sentiment of longtime owner Mabel Miller: “I had several uncles who thought that my husband and I were foolish to take on such a responsibility, but I always thought of the hotel as a wonderful building, something worth preserving as a part of the community.” , [captions] , . Ron Davenport and the new flood marker (Ottumwa Courier, December 30, 1993) , . Mabel Miller welcomed guests to the Hotel from 1944 to 1982 , . Edwin Manning , . Front Hotel Room #1 overlooking the Des Moines River. , . Advertisement from 1986. , . Members of the Hotel Manning Preservation Group LLC celebrate their purchase in 2017, This project was made possible through a partnership with Humanities Iowa and grant funding from the Community Foundation of Van Buren County, Davis County Community Foundation, and Van Buren Foundation.