John F. Antisdel
Encyclopedia
John Francis Antisdel was an American hotelier.
Antisdel was born in Paris, New York
, but moved with his family at age six to a farm near Brooklyn, Michigan
in 1835. In 1850, he moved to Detroit, Michigan
and became a clerk in a hotel. In 1855, he married Sarah Parshall in Detroit. They had seven children, four of whom lived to adulthood.
In 1857, he formed a partnership with James Parshall and opened the Finney Hotel at the southeast corner of Gratiot Avenue and Woodward Avenue in Detroit. The following year, Antisdel also became the owner of the Railroad Hotel, which was located on the site where the Detroit Opera House
would later be built. Later, he sold the property on which the Railroad Hotel was located for $50,000 and bought the Blindberry Hotel at the corner of Michigan and Washington Avenues, which he renamed the Antisdel Hotel. The Antisdel Hotel stood until 1890 when it was torn down to make room for a more modern hotel.
Antisdel also took over the Biddle Hotel, which was one of the largest hotels in Michigan. Many of Detroit's "leading men" lived at the Antisdel Hotel. In 1872, Antisdel purchased the Beaubien House
in Detroit, one of the oldest surviving houses in the city, and his family owned or rented the home until 1943.
Antisdel moved for a time to Milwaukee, Wisconsin
, where he operated the Newhall House. After sustaining losses in the Panic of 1873
, he returned to Michigan and operated the Fraser House in Bay City, Michigan
from 1884 to 1894. In 1894, he returned to Detroit and operated the Mettewas, a resort hotel in Kingsville, Ontario
, until his death in 1900.
Antisdel was born in Paris, New York
Paris, New York
Paris is a town in Oneida County, New York, USA. The town is in the southeast part of the county and is south of Utica. The population was 4,609 at the 2000 census. The town was named after an early benefactor, Colonel Isaac Paris.-History:...
, but moved with his family at age six to a farm near Brooklyn, Michigan
Brooklyn, Michigan
Brooklyn is a village in Jackson County of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 1,176. It is located just off U.S. Highway 12 Brooklyn (formerly Swainsville) is a village in Jackson County of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the village...
in 1835. In 1850, he moved to Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
and became a clerk in a hotel. In 1855, he married Sarah Parshall in Detroit. They had seven children, four of whom lived to adulthood.
Detroit Opera House
The Detroit Opera House is an opera house located in Detroit, Michigan. It is the venue for all Michigan Opera Theatre productions and it hosts a variety of other events. It opened on January 22, 1922....
would later be built. Later, he sold the property on which the Railroad Hotel was located for $50,000 and bought the Blindberry Hotel at the corner of Michigan and Washington Avenues, which he renamed the Antisdel Hotel. The Antisdel Hotel stood until 1890 when it was torn down to make room for a more modern hotel.
Antisdel also took over the Biddle Hotel, which was one of the largest hotels in Michigan. Many of Detroit's "leading men" lived at the Antisdel Hotel. In 1872, Antisdel purchased the Beaubien House
Beaubien House
The Charles Trombly House is located at 553 E. Jefferson Avenue in Detroit, Michigan. It is more commonly known as the Beaubien House, and is currently the headquarters of the Michigan Architectural Foundation...
in Detroit, one of the oldest surviving houses in the city, and his family owned or rented the home until 1943.
Antisdel moved for a time to Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
, where he operated the Newhall House. After sustaining losses in the Panic of 1873
Panic of 1873
The Panic of 1873 triggered a severe international economic depression in both Europe and the United States that lasted until 1879, and even longer in some countries. The depression was known as the Great Depression until the 1930s, but is now known as the Long Depression...
, he returned to Michigan and operated the Fraser House in Bay City, Michigan
Bay City, Michigan
Bay City is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan located near the base of the Saginaw Bay on Lake Huron. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 34,932, and is the principal city of the Bay City Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Saginaw-Bay City-Saginaw Township North...
from 1884 to 1894. In 1894, he returned to Detroit and operated the Mettewas, a resort hotel in Kingsville, Ontario
Kingsville, Ontario
The Town of Kingsville is located in Essex County in southwestern Ontario, Canada, and is Canada's southernmost municipality with town status. According to the 2006 census, the population of Kingsville is 20,908.-Geography:...
, until his death in 1900.