After the Manhattan House was shuttered by the mayor of Holyoke and the short-lived Hotel Francais failed, E. H. Friedrich stepped in and purchased the 80 Hamilton Street hotel building in 1914. From 1915 to 1917, the business was operated as Louise Schmidt's Hamilton Rooming House.
In 1918, a change in proprietorship occurred that would stand the test of time. Abraham Z. and Dora Gordon began operating what would be known for over 23 years as Gordon House and, subsequently, for another 20 years as the Hotel Nassau.
Abraham Z. and Dora (Hollup) Gordon were born in Russia and arrived in Holyoke in 1918. Before their relocation, they had married in August 1904 and were living in Hartford, Connecticut. With their five children, the family moved into the Hamilton Rooming House, which they were to operate. Mr. Gordon was listed as a carpenter in the 1918 Holyoke City Directory. The couple posted an advertisement on April 25, 1918, to show the name change to the Gordon House.
From the beginning, there was a positive and welcoming feeling exhibited in their newspaper advertisements seeking boarders. The slogan for the Gordon House was, "A home for the one without a home."
The rooms were advertised as having steam heat, electricity, and hot baths. Daily homemade food selections were offered. It was clear that the patrons' comfort was important to them.
A dining room was opened in 1921, offering high-quality food at low prices for their guests and boarders. A restaurant was opened in 1924 under the supervision of an experienced chef.
In 1926, Dora Gordon resumed her education, a pursuit that would soon be deservingly chronicled in a chapter to follow.
The story of the Gordons continues with the Hotel Nassau in Part 4.
Citations:
Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Citations: Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript & Transcript-Telegram; Springfield (Massachusetts) Daily- Republican; publication dates and pages are shown.
Holyoke Public Library History Room, online Price & Lee City Directories, Holyoke, Massachusetts.
Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, Holyoke, Massachusetts, 1915 and 1949
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