The History of the Keefer House Hotel

As work on the Keefer House Hotel in Hillsdale, MI, approaches completion, let’s be reminded of its rich history as an integral part of the community. Why was this hotel built? And what is in store for its future?

Located at the end of a rail line in the 1800’s, Hillsdale became a key location for settlers moving West. The blossoming town acted as a significant waystation allowing travelers to resupply and rest. After the railway was expanded past Hillsdale, general stores, saloons, and hotels were established to accommodate the traffic. The “Hillsdale House” was one such hotel enjoying the business of countless travelers from the nearby train station. Wagons would meet passengers at the station and bring them to the hotel only a couple of blocks away. After the “Hillsdale House” was destroyed in a fire, Charles Keefer built the “Keefer House Hotel” in its place in 1885. It was one of three primary hotels in Downtown Hillsdale and is the last still standing.

In its prime, the Keefer House Hotel teemed with life! In this one building a patron could get a haircut at the barbershop, shoes repaired at the cobbler, a delicious meal at the restaurant, a good time at the gambling parlor, and a restful night’s sleep in a guestroom. Being one of the few large buildings in the area it was used as a hospital before the Hillsdale hospital was established and even an early funeral home before one officially existed. Unlike today, hotels acted as hubs of economic and social life with a variety of offerings. 

By the 1950’s, passenger trains stopped coming through Hillsdale and by the 1960’s the new interstate bi-passed the city leading to a dramatic, but classic small-town American story, where the city found itself in decline. The Keefer Hotel, once the lively center of a thriving city, closed its doors. A cousin of the original Keefer Family, made an attempt to keep it alive, to no avail. It was converted into housing, first senior housing then low-income and transitional housing and officially closing around 2000 in a very deteriorated state after decades without proper investment and repairs. 

In 2001 it was purchased by a retired dentist from California, Dr. Horton with initial plans to reinvest in the hotel and redevelop it. Dr. Horton made important repairs to the roof, windows, and exterior bricks. Unfortunately, he was unable to successfully redevelop and sold the property to the City of Hillsdale’s Tax Increment Finance Authority (TIFA). TIFA purchased the property along with the Dawn Theater (106 N. Broad Street, Hillsdale, MI) from Dr. Horton with the goal of directing the redevelopment of both properties by finding a qualified developer. 

In 2017, CLRED was introduced to the Keefer House Hotel project and saw it as an opportunity to redevelop it into a luxury hotel and cornerstone of Hillsdale. CLRED purchased the Keefer in October of 2018, demolition began August of 2021, and construction began September 24th, 2021. Challenges have arisen since breaking ground, but major milestone’s have been reached including the installation of structural steel, elevator core, electrical conduit, sprinkler piping, sub-flooring, and much more. A temporary website to promote the project and keep the public informed was also created. Ron Wilson, CEO of Hotel Investment Services (HIS), began the process of “hiring key team members and begin training, developing the website to accept pre-booking, and further developing the on-site restaurant.” 

Just as CLRED successfully redeveloped the nearby Dawn Theatre, the Keefer will soon complete construction and reclaim its place as the hub of Hillsdale’s expanding downtown. Paying homage to the details of the hotel’s former glory, guests will be welcomed by iconic mosaic floors, original tin ceiling, and restored millwork. The breathtaking lobby will be complete with an elegant bar and access to a variety of shops in the three retail spaces. Guests will be able to check into one of the 34 guestrooms for a comfortable stay and dine at the high-end restaurant for a delicious meal. The updated lobby, restaurant, and outdoor space will be perfect for meetings, conferences, and events. Everything one will need for a comfortable stay will be at their disposal at the timeless property. 

Through the hard work and dedication of CLRED’s Senior Development Associate, Brant Cohen, and VP of Construction and Development, Nick A. Fox, collaboration of designers at StudioGWA, and operations from the Hotel Investment Services, the Keefer House Hotel will return to and surpass its former economic and cultural impact as a pillar of the Hillsdale community.