Windsor Hotel- Garden City, KS

[takurpic]

A couple of years ago I was allowed to enter the old Windsor Hotel to take photos. I had asked in the past but was denied. The hotel had recently sold so I gave it another try and was granted permission. They gave me a key and free reign of the place for an afternoon.

Construction of the Windsor Hotel was started in 1887 and completed in 1889. Currently, it sits empty awaiting funding for restoration.


Here's a similar perspective from a photo in the museum...




Here's a link to the all the images... http://www.pbase.com/rymanjason/jaso..._windsor_hotel

[LauraA]

That's a dream come true, to be able to spend all the time you want and have access to the entire hotel...even the attic and roof! Fantastic!

[takurpic]

It was definitely spooky being in there, just me, my oldest son and the bajillion pigeons. They gave me quite a fright- one flew right at my face when I opened one of the room doors . The pigeon smell was stuck in my nose for a week!

Regarding the roof... notice the top flight of stairs in this image:


The landing at the top is nothing more than a rickety cantilever. The top stair case is smaller than the rest, only a couple of feet wide. The handrail was a nice gesture but I seriously doubt it would prevent a fall being only thigh high. I had my son wait below so he could call 911 just in case.

PS... I graduated to couch potato!

[LauraA]

Jason, Now that you're slowly becoming more and more addicted to the forum, you'll be graduating at a steady pace...hmmm after couch potato the sky is the limit
I'm fascinated with your pictures of the hotel, do you know of any plans to restore it? I hope if they do, they'll strive to maintain the wonderful flavor of the place, the woodwork is fantastic.

[Flatiron]

That's some pretty nifty tenon and mortice work with the roof structure. A lot of the timberframe homes today have this type of craftmanship. Great photos!,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[takurpic]

Thanks folks! Yes, they are trying to get the funds together for a restoration project.

The woodwork inside is in great shape considering the age of the hotel... coming up on the 120th anniversary!

[speedy]

Really super pics......very interesting. Thanks, Jason.....Speedy