The Kirby House Hotel - Part 3
On July 21, 1916, Muncie residents were given the opportunity to view The New Kirby Hotel. The former Kirby House had been completely modernized, following a change of ownership from Julius Heinsohn to August Braun and Alonzo Thornburg on January 24th. While an orchestra played in the newly enlarged and redecorated lobby, people could tour the new café with its indirect lighting system and Chef McBride’s thoroughly modern kitchen. Guestrooms featured mahogany finished furniture. There was also ice water as well as hot and cold running water in every room.
As 1916 ended, Muncieites were once again invited to the New Kirby Hotel, this time for the city’s first New Year’s Eve Celebration. From 11:00 PM to 2:00 AM, ladies and gentlemen could enjoy special music while they dined on an elaborate meal, described as “the best ever served in Muncie.”
After August Braun’s death in January 29, 1922, The New Kirby Hotel changed hands several times before it was purchased by L. C. Hendershot on September 29th of the same year. Over the next two decades, The Kirby House Coffee Shop, underwent a number of management changes, but Hendershot provided stable ownership for the hotel.
He was also open to keeping pace with contemporary trends. By 1934, there was dancing nightly to the music of Charles Hampton’s Kirby Grill Ensemble. While you danced, you could get a complete chicken dinner for 50 cents, the finest domestic and imported wines and pay no cover charge.
On September 30, 1941, Mr. Hendershot announced that the hotel had been sold to A. W. Davenport of the Davenport Hotel Management Corporation. Guests continued to have access to valet service, barber shop, cigar stand and laundry. By 1942, there was a telephone in every room. One year later a postal substation was located in the lobby.
Hobart Davis purchased the hotel on August 8, 1946 and promised to make changes. He said all furniture and decorations would be replaced by new merchandise as soon as it could be acquired. This conditional statement wasn’t a surprise considering that American factories still had not completely retooled following the demands of World War II. One change, however, seemed to strike a nostalgic chord with Muncie citizens. The two fireplaces in the lobby, which served as a reminder of the hotel’s heyday at the turn of the century, were removed.
In 1949, the Kirby Grill was billed as “The Hotel Grille with the Private Club Atmosphere.” Charlie Grow and his orchestra provided music for dancing six nights a week.
When the Kirby Hotel was sold once again to Arthur W. Davenport in autumn 1953, the name was changed to the Hotel Huron. The new owner announced that the hotel would cater to the “discriminating economy-minded public.”
Three years later, the hotel was for sale again. It was purchased on August 1, 1956, by Mr. and Mrs. David Meeks. In 1957, it was leased by William Denney of Indianapolis.
Unfortunately, time had finally caught up with the hotel in February 1962, when the State Fire Marshal’s office announced that the building was being condemned and was unsafe for use as a hotel. Given the lengthy list of improvements that would have to be made, Meeks decided to close the hotel. On March 10, 1962, a public auction was held at the Hotel Huron; everything had to go. The building was demolished in April to make way for a parking lot. It was a sad ending for one of Muncie’s last links to the exciting days of the Gas Boom.
Muncie Club dinner at the Kirby Hotel ca. 1920
Photo provided by the Minnetrista Heritage Collection.
