Number    01131

Scan Date    7/31/02

Time Period    c1940-50

Subject Matter    Historic Buildings

Location     301 N. Main St., Monroe, North Carolina

Description 

Plans for this hotel began in 1917.  Per The Monroe Journal, Dec. 15, 1919 (special edition, p.5) it opened April 27, 1919. Mr. O. D. Wheeler, a Charlotte architect, drew the plans.  (Monroe Journal, Feb. 27, 1917, p.5)  It would be the first building with steel supports per J. Ray Shute in The Enquirer-Journal (Sept. 20, 1981, 1D).

The main mass of the building was a five story, L-shaped section at the intersection of Main and Franklin Streets.
 

Photographer (if known)

Notes

The name Hotel Joffre was given to the building in honor of the French WW I general Marshal Joffre.  The first floor corner section of the building was constructed especially for the First National Bank.   It would later be occupied by American Bank & Trust (1940s).  In 1981 as the "Monroe Hotel", it was converted back to a hotel after a time as apartments with many of those who rented the efficiency apartments staying on under the new rules.  It was demolished in 1996 after being empty for a number of years.

Time period, description & notes revised 5/8/2012 - pmp

also interior view see:  http://history.union.lib.nc.us/heritageroompictures/01132.htm

Measurements of original photograph

Height    8"

Width   10"

Type of photograph    Black and White