Ritz Hotel (The Ritz) - Coldwater MI

Address: 172 W Chicago St
City: Coldwater
State: MI
Zip: 49036
County: Branch
Number of visits to this page: 1113
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General Information:

The old Ritz Hotel was started and operated by people from within my family tree. It goes back to the early days of Coldwater although I am not sure how far. It was there in the 30's for sure. Asking around town, the few folks old enough to remember the place have referred to it as a hotel, a rooming house, or a flop house for indigent people depending on who you ask. There were a few unsavory people who resided there over the years but I guess that would be true of any housing situation. It once housed the United Farm Real Estate Agency (or was owned by them) according to the inspection report from 1976.

It was of the Greek Revival style, similar to several other structures along the old section of W Chicago Rd. Some of those others are still standing but alas, the Ritz is gone. It was wiped out by a fire in 1976. It was initially thought the place could be repaired after the blaze but further inspection revealed it to be a total loss. The lot was empty for many years until a Dollar General was built on the site.

The 1976 photo from the Branch County Library is a bit confusing. The building looks drastically different from the earlier Ritz Hotel photos. Maybe it was taken after the fire and much of the building was hauled away already, I am not sure.

Info Updates:
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 Photos:14
Ritz Hotel (The Ritz) - Historical Photo
Historical Photo
Ritz Hotel (The Ritz) - Historical Photo
Historical Photo
Ritz Hotel (The Ritz) - Historical Photo
Historical Photo
Ritz Hotel (The Ritz) - 1976 Photo From Building Inspector - Branch Co Library
1976 Photo From Building Inspector - Branch Co Library
Ritz Hotel (The Ritz) - Fred Ritzenthaler And Son From Wauseon Ohio At His Shoe Store - Owner Of Ritz Hotel
Fred Ritzenthaler And Son From Wauseon Ohio At His Shoe Store - Owner Of Ritz Hotel
Ritz Hotel (The Ritz) - Ritzenthaler Shoe Store In Wauseon Ohio - Owner Of Ritz Hotel
Ritzenthaler Shoe Store In Wauseon Ohio - Owner Of Ritz Hotel
Ritz Hotel (The Ritz) - 1958 Aerial Photo
1958 Aerial Photo
Ritz Hotel (The Ritz) - Nov 1939 Ritz Gets Bibles
Nov 1939 Ritz Gets Bibles
Ritz Hotel (The Ritz) - Dec 1943 Former Owner Passes Away
Dec 1943 Former Owner Passes Away
Ritz Hotel (The Ritz) - Mar 1953 Smoking Charge
Mar 1953 Smoking Charge
Ritz Hotel (The Ritz) - Mar 1976 Total Loss
Mar 1976 Total Loss
Ritz Hotel (The Ritz) - Mar 1976 Tragic Death And Destruction
Mar 1976 Tragic Death And Destruction
Ritz Hotel (The Ritz) - Nov 1954 Manager Gets City Council Spot
Nov 1954 Manager Gets City Council Spot
Ritz Hotel (The Ritz) - Sep 1995 Later Operator Passes Away
Sep 1995 Later Operator Passes Away
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