Frank L. Nigey built three-story brick hotel in 1906 targeting the "luxury" market then served only by the InterOcean Hotel located one block closer to the Northern Pacific Railway depot. Built in electrical utilities and hot and cold running water piped to all rooms. Common bathrooms provided on every floor. Local and long distance telephone service available on-site.
Click to Enlarge - Ad in 1906 Mandan Souviner Book
The original building had one front and back row of rooms running parallel to Third Avenue NW, but it's success would prompt an expansion over twice its original size.
Rate for the hotels in Mandan in 1910 ran from $1.00 a night at the Hotel Mandan (located 5 blocks west of the railway depot on East Main Street) to $1.50 a night at the Dakota Hotel and Merchants Hotel. The InterOcean and Nigey Hotels commanded $2.25 and up for nightly accommodations.
1923 Looking North From Main St Down 3rd Ave NW
The expanded building would house the city's first telephone exchange, which was headquartered off its First Avenue NW entrance. It also housed Dahner's Music Store and in 1920 was the location of Mandan's first J. C. Penney's store from 1920 to 1928 operated by D. C. Mohr.
The hotel was sold in 1926 to former Morton County Sheriff Charles McDonald, and operated it as the McDonald Hotel until his death in 1928. By 1942 the hotel would be owned and operated by Frank Wetzstein.
The building was destroyed in a fire sometime between 1957-1959. By then, the telephone exchange operated now by Northwestern Bell had been relocated across the street to a new larger building. The building was razed and converted into a parking lot, which currently serves customers of the Mandan branch of Wells Fargo Bank.
The MHSoc's museum and office is located at 411 W Main St, Mandan, ND 58554 Contact us at info@mandanhistory.org or leave message at (701) 751-2983
