Hotel Antlers Reopens – March 23, 1986

Forty years ago today, the newly renovated Hotel Antlers in Lorain reopened in a gala affair on Sunday, March 23, 1986. The conversion of the decrepit hotel into apartments, offices and shops was one of the late developer's Jon Veard's many great accomplishments, and his gift to the city of Lorain.

The lead up to the event provided an opportunity for the Journal to revisit the history of the hotel. Here's a great article from March 16, 1986 that provides the comprehensive story of the hotel, from its opening by the Elks, to its ups and downs over the years, to its closing in the 1970s. The article includes the heartwarming story of John and Ruth Howat, who were married there in 1925 and planned to renew their vows as part of the formal reopening of the landmark on March 23rd.

On March 22, 1986 the small article below appeared on the front page of the Journal on the eve of the reopening. It mentions that the Dave Noe Orchestra would be providing music at the event on Sunday. I was a member of the band and remember that day as being happy, exciting and a little emotional. My parents also took a tour of the building that day.

The Journal published an editorial on March 22nd complimenting and congratulating Jon Veard on his accomplishment.

On March 24, the Journal covered and celebrated the reopening of Hotel Antlers with this great article by Darlene Brown with photos of the event by Craig Orosz.

Some editions of the paper printed a shorter version of the article.

Several letters to the editor during the days following the reopening expressed the joy and appreciation felt by the community. Jon Veard also submitted a letter expressing his gratitude that he felt for the public support for the project.

March 26, 1986

April 3, 1986

April 4, 1986

Jim Mahony noted the opening of a radio station in the renovated Hotel Antlers in his column of April 12, 1986.

Finally, the restaurant located in the lower level of the Antlers opened in December 1986.

Dec. 9, 1986

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Here's an ample sample of vintage postcards and photos of Hotel Antlers over the years. I've included postmark and inscribed dates where available. There's also a cool envelope currently on eBay.

1931

1935 Cleveland News photo

1939

1948

1953

(I can't guarantee that the early, undated postcards are in the right chronological order.)