Riggs Hotel

THE RIGGS HOTEL

Mr. And Mrs. Riggs and their daughter owned the other hotel in Oakwood. In this day and time the salesmen had to travel by train. They would come on the train, call on their prospect and then stay overnight and catch the next train out on the next day.

I do not remember how many rooms there were in this two-story hotel nor do I recall the facilities for the comfort of the guests. There was an out-house and probably a 'Potties' or 'Slop Jar' named container under the beds. The structure did have an upstairs porch or balcony on the front of the building.

This family also had living quarters in the lower floor in the back of the hotel. The newspapers were delivered to the back door.

Mr. Riggs always had a garden on the back of the lot. Also there was a large building, more like a barn. This was his livery stable where the salesmen could hire a team and buggy if their business took them to other parts of the community. This building was later a garage for the family automobile.

When the automobile became common and the salesmen could travel to many towns in a day, the need for hotels diminished. It was then the upper story of this hotel was removed and the lower floor was used as a home for the aged Riggs Family.

This wooden structure still stands on the west side of Michigan Avenue, a block south of the town pump on Main Street Oakwood.

Still in fair condition! Bm