This project was supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian Made accessible through a grant from the John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation and Photo Friends
The Western Hotel, located at 557 W. Lancaster Boulevard, was built in the late 1800's by the Gilroy family and is the oldest surviving structure in Lancaster, California. The hotel was purchased in 1902 by George T. Webber who managed the property with his wife Myrtie Webber until his death in 1934. Myrtie Webber continued to keep the hotel running until she was entered into a convalescent home in 1971. In her absence, the hotel fell into decay and was set to be demolished when Lancaster residents rallied to save and restore the hotel. It is now known as the Western Hotel Museum and houses historical artifacts and photographs of the hotel. The hotel was designated California Historic Landmark #658 and is noted for being the social and commercial center of Lancaster's developing years and for housing construction crews for the Los Angeles-Owens River Aqueduct from 1905-1913. Photograph article dated May 23, 1961 partially reads, "Mrs. Webber is a 93-year-old Lancaster pioneer who came to the Antelope Valley from Ohio 55 years ago because of ill health. She met George T. Webber, owner of the hotel, and they married in 1910. When the State Department of History and Landmarks honored the hotel in 1957 by placing a historical marker on her lawn, Mrs. Webber declared she wasn't going to dispose of the property during her lifetime. Things have changed...Two weeks ago, building inspectors visited the hotel 'and wanted too much work done,' she said. 'Why, they just tied me up. they told me to take down the old brick chimney. Then they wanted different type locks put on the doors. And they wanted me to widen the hall corridors. 'I told them right then and there I couldn't afford that kind of money. I had no choice but to go right out and slap a 'For Sale' sign on the front lawn." Myrtie Webber is seen standing, at right.; See images #00120876 through #00120877 for all photos in this series.
Type
image
Format
1 photographic print :b&w ;21 x 26 cm. Photographic prints
Western Hotel (Lancaster, Calif.) Hotels--California--Lancaster Hotel lobbies--California--Lancaster Hotelkeepers--California--Lancaster Businesswomen--California--Lancaster Women--California--Lancaster Men--California--Lancaster Painted signs and signboards--California--Lancaster California Historical Landmarks Lancaster (Calif.) Valley Times Collection photographs
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