By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
In 1852, a new home was built in Panora as the residence of Judge Theophilus Bryan. The building was converted into a hotel in 1864 and then was remodeled into its current structure in 1895.
Over the decades that the building functioned as a hotel, it operated under various names including Hotel Dean, the Roberts House, Morland Hotel and, most notably, the Hotel Panora.
The most familiar proprietor was Miss Elizabeth Hudson, who bought the hotel for $8,000 in 1926 and ran it until it was closed in 1984. During that span, there were 11 U.S. presidents, from Coolidge through Reagan, but only one Miss Elizabeth.
In the early years of the hotel, traveling salesmen represented a significant portion of the guests. But, over the decades, traveling salesmen became less numerous, so Miss Elizabeth returned to teaching in the 1930s while still running the hotel. She was also instrumental in helping to create the Guthrie County Historical Society.
Miss Elizabeth died in 1985 at the age of 100. Her estate made generous donations totaling nearly $50,000 to several local causes including Panorama Schools, the Century Museum Foundation, and Guthrie County Hospital.
The building is now owned by Chad and Brenda Olsen and is currently used as a private residence.
Much more information about the life of Miss Elizabeth and the hotel can be seen at the Guthrie County Historical Village. Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for kids 6-17 years old. Kids younger than 6 are admitted free. The GCHV is located at 206 W. South St. in Panora, just a few blocks south of the former hotel building.
Today, the building points the way to the GCHV.
The building was once known as Hotel Dean.
Items from the hotel are displayed at the GCHV.
Meal prices from days gone by.
High rollers could opt for the best room, at $1 per night.
A sign shows the hotel was once the Morland Hotel.
Miss Elizabeth’s list of rules for guests includes, “Change underwear and socks daily.” That’s still good advice to this day.