The Kirby House - Part 2

At the end of the 19th century, the push was on to make the Kirby House the biggest, the best and the most modern hotel in Muncie. In 1891, the mansard roof disappeared when owner, Julius Heinsohn, added another story, bringing the total to four. Two years later it was new fixtures and furniture.

By the end of 1895, The Muncie Daily Herald announced that Mr. Heinsohn intended to spend $10,000 on the building, both inside and out. At the center front of the building, the balcony was extended over the sidewalk on Main Street, forming a portico. The new mosaic floor was said to be the same as that in the Waldorf Hotel in New York City. Two large mantels were added to the lobby and light would be provided by electricity, not gas. And let’s not forget the saloon. The bar was set to be extended into a former reading and writing room, turning the saloon into one of the finest in the state. And to create more space, an annex was added to the back of the hotel to accommodate the kitchens, dining rooms and some sleeping apartments.

While these improvements were being made, Mr. Heinsohn arranged for Western Union to run a line to the hotel so that his guests could have the benefit of a telegraph office on-site.

In November 1897, Julius Heinsohn retired. After selling the furniture, he leased the building to Christopher Neipp. By April 1898, Neipp was headed south and the lease passed to John J. Dow. Within a year, Mr. Dow was doing what seemed to be required of all hotelkeepers – he modernized. The new wallpaper and lace curtains were nice, but I’m sure the addition of ten private bathrooms with genuine porcelain tubs were more apt to put a great big smile on many a face.

With the demand for hotel rooms continuing to grow, Mr. Dow purchased the Eagle Hotel from James Boyce in 1904. The Eagle was conveniently located at 313 E. Main Street, only a half a block from the Kirby House Hotel. After some refurbishment, the three-story structure was opened as the Kirby House Annex.

During the summer, public concerts were held in downtown Muncie. On Monday night the Indiana Band played at the New Southern Hotel. Wednesday’s concert took place on the Elks’ balcony and Friday’s from the Braun Hotel. But the music on Thursday nights wafted through town from the balcony of the Kirby House.

In November 1908, the Kirby House was sold to Frank Purcell and J. D. Brown, respected hotel men from Fort Wayne. On May 1, 1909, Purcell stated that the hotel would be run on the European plan, where meals would not be included in the price of the room. He was closing the dining room and the bar and opening the “finest café in Indiana.” The Kirby hotel bar, one of the oldest saloons in Muncie, closed on May 29th. On July 23rd, the Muncie Evening Press announced that Julius Heinsohn had again assumed control of the hotel.

Part 3 coming soon!

The Kirby House lobby and cigar stand – ca. 1910

Photo provided by the Minnetrista Heritage Collection.

The Kirby House Hotel

Photo provided by the Minnetrista Heritage collection.