Clay Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties-Absolom Wood
Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1890
HOTEL BONHAM. This house is located in
Clay Center, and was opened to the public
Sept. 1, 1887. It is without question
the best-arranged and best-furnished hotel
in the State of Kansas, and is acknowledged by
those who have partaken of its hospitality to be,
regardless of price, the best establishment of its
kind in the West. It is a four-story building above
the basement and is located near the business center
of the city, the main front and entrance being on
Fifth street, "the main street of the city" and the
side entrance on Dexter street. The fronts are
built of pressed brick, beautifully trimmed with
stone and an iron cornice. Within are all the
accommodations for both ladies and gentlemen usually
found in a first-class house, especially intended
for the convenience and comfort of the traveling
public. It contains 100 large, elegantly furnished
rooms with hot and cold water, bath rooms and
electric calls, with ample protection against fire
and heated throughout with steam.
The first, second and third floors of the Hotel
Bonham, with the exception of the parlors and
bridal chambers, are furnished with antique oak
the fourth floor is finished with ash and every
room and hall is carpeted with either velvet or Brussels.
The office, reading-room, dining-room, parlors
and halls attract the attention of strangers on
account of their size and splendid furnishings. It
is scarcely necessary to say that this elegant hostlery
is conducted in all its departments in the most
systematic manner and its guests are accorded that
courteous attention which cannot fail to please.
Built at the same time as the Hotel Bonham and
forming a part of the same structure, is the Bonham
Opera House, merely separated from the hotel by a
heavy brick wall. This is 60x105 feet in dimensions,
with a stage 32x60 feet, and is three full stories
above the basement. The main auditorium is on
the first floor with balcony and gallery above. The
seating capacity is 1,100 and includes the best opera
chairs and the most beautiful scenery. It carries
every protection against fire and has many ways of
exit.
E. J. Bonham, the projector of the above enterprises,
came to Clay Center in September, 1874, and
was in the mercantile business until the fall of 1883.
He was then elected Register of Deeds and reelected
in 1885, holding the office for four years.
He was active in securing for Clay Center a first-class
hotel and the opera house, which were named
in his honor.
Mr. Bonham was born in Lancaster, Grant Co.,
Wis., in 1852, and lived there until coming to
Kansas, twenty years later. While serving as Register
of Deeds he became interested in abstracting,
which interest he still maintains. He purchased
the Dispatch in March, 1887, of which he was sole
editor and proprietor two years and still has an interest
in that paper.