we invite you to take a trip
through the past 118 years
to learn about the origins of our property and the events that have ushered in a new beginning for Hotel Petersburg.
January 1904
1904
30 room Shirley Hotel purchased by George A. Whitmore
February 1904
1915
The Hotel Petersburg is designed by Charles M. Robinson and constructed by Fulton Brick Company for $210,000 with six stories and 125 guest rooms
August 1916
August 3,
1916
Hotel named by Board of Directors for the Petersburg Investment Corporation
August 21,
1916
Hotel Petersburg announces plans for a grand Bridal Suite named “Old Rose and Ivory”
October 1916
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October 16,
1916
The Hotel Petersburg opens with 26 of the 125 guest rooms furnished and occupied
grand
opening
October 16,
1916
First managed by James L. Alexander
1916
October 22
The hotel applies to use alcohol for “scientific, mechanical, and pharmaceutical purposes”
December 1916
December 27,
1916
A dance was held in the formal dining room with music by the Dupont Orchestra. Notable wealthy families of Petersburg attended to include Roper, Pollard, Seward, Dunlop, and Ragland.
June 1917
June 10,
1917
Shriners welcomed by Mayor Gilliam at a banquet following a parade
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September 1917
September 23,
1917
District Attorney R.H. Mann and investor C.C Fore purchase hotel, later selling to T. L Bland of Bland St. Cloud Company with Gordon Morgan as Manager
August 1918
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August 24,
Earliest known date of Petersburg Barber Shop operating in the basement of the hotel
1918
November 1919
November 7,
1919
A narcotics dealer, Leo Luttrell, was finally busted and arrested by federal agents. Leo held narcotics in three hotels in Virginia while he was on the run. The officers arrested him and brought him before the U.S Commissioner for trial. While he was in the commissioner’s office, one of the officers found a key on the floor by Leo’s chair that had fallen out of his pocket. The key was to a room at the Hotel Petersburg, where he held additional narcotics.
May 1925
1925
May 1,
Hotel hosts dance for the Old Ladies’ Home, one of the largest social events of the year
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November 1925
1925
November 4,
Leading society and clubwomen of Petersburg attend the Golden Rule dinner
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May 1935
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May 25,
1935
Virginia Typographical Conference is held with federal officials, and labor leaders as speakers. 150-200 delegates and visitors attend dance, luncheon and tour of the Petersburg battlefield.
March 1937
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March 14,
1937
The Business and Professional Women’s Club of Petersburg meets for breakfast
February 1938
February 19,
1938
185 members of the Chamber of Commerce meet at Hotel Petersburg for the 57th annual meeting.
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July 1938
June 9,
1938
Petersburg unit of the Citizens Road League of Virginia meets
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November 1941
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November 18,
1941
Virginia Baseball League meets to discuss expansion of an eight club circuit and player salary increase.
April 1954
April 7,
1954
Daylong regional meeting of the Virginia Association of Insurance Agents.
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August 1955
August 28,
1955
Hotel Petersburg purchases property at 109 Union Street as off-street parking for 60 to 70 cars
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February 1960
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February 11,
1960
Hotel porter is robbed of $437.71 in checks and cash
August 1961
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August 31,
1961
Manager L. C Wade installs a 50-75 person bomb shelter in the basement in fear of Intercontinental nuclear warfare. It was designed with 28” walls and 21” ceilings with enough supplies to have 7 gallons of water available for every person.
September 1963
September 18,
1963
Armed robbers fled hotel with $225 from the cash drawer, triggering an FBI alert and 13 state alarm.
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January 1964
Luther C. Wade, nephew of Mrs. Gordon Morgan, becomes third Manager after death of Gordon Morgan in 1963
1964
November 1966
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November 16,
1966
Hotel Petersburg’s first fire was on this date after a guest staying in the hotel had fallen asleep while smoking a cigarette. The mattress caught on fire and filled the building with smoke. No injuries occurred.
February 1967
February 17
1967
All dining facilities officially closed after lessee Charles W. Newby ceased operation.
May 1969
15 FBI agents raid room 502 in search of $10,000 ransom from kidnappers. At the time of the raid, the suspects started to throw the ransom money out the window. Witnesses stated, “money floated down an alleyway behind the hotel like snow.”
May 20,
1969
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December 1970
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December 1,
1970
Second major fire resulting in damage to the 4th and 5th floors of the hotel. The fire was started by a 21-year-old Ft. Lee soldier from Alaska.
The Hotel Petersburg closed its doors with the departing of the last guest, Mrs. Gordon Morgan. The hotel was boarded up with only a caretaker left.
December 18,
1970
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March 1971
March 29,
1971
Electrical malfunction causes 3rd major fire in basement leading to an explosion.
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March 1975
March 5,
1975
City buys hotel from Bland St. Cloud Operating Corp. for $87,500 to use for city offices
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September 2017
After lying vacant and untouched, the building was purchased from the city in 2017, later selling to Petersburg resident, and current owner, Nat Cuthbert
