If you will check eBay and type in Romney, WV, you will find a postcard every few weeks that shows the hotel. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jane Ailes" <jailes@att.net> To: <WVHAMPSH-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, January 11, 2004 9:53 AM Subject: Re: [WVHAMPSH-L] Romney Hotel > Nancy, > > As far as I know, the only hotel operating in Romney in the 1920-30's was > the New Century Hotel. It was torn down in the late 1950's as I > recall. It was located at the corner of Main Street (Rt. 50) and Grafton > St. The Bank of Romney community room and parking lot stand on this lot > now. Ann Hill's laundry mat on Grafton St. occupies one of the old > outbuildings from the hotel. > > The New Century was a very grand old hotel. The accommodations and > restaurant attracted people from far and wide. Eleanor Roosevelt was known > to go out of her way to stop there. > > Hope this helps, > Jane > > At 11:13 PM 10-01-04, you wrote: > >During the Depression, my great grandfather Millard Pownall lost his job > >with the railroad and he and his wife Edna Haines Pownall closed up their > >house on Rosemary Lane and resided and worked at the "Romney Hotel," He was > >a desk clerk, and she cooked and cleaned. Does anyone on this list know > >anything about this hotel--such as who owned it, where it was located and > >what is standing on that lot now? > > > >Nancy > > >

>From Historic Hampshire, (1976) edited by Seldon Brannon, pp. 249-50 The Keller House "In 1848, Thomas A. Keller purchased from the Armstrong family the old tavern building on Lot 86 (east corner of Grafton and Main Street), which even then had served as an inn. The building was probably erected shortly after 1800. On May 22, 1848, a license was issued to Thomas A. Keller and James Poland to conduct an "ordinary," an inn. Thus was established the Keller House which continued in use until 1913...The Keller House was finally torn down in 1913, and the New Century Hotel was built on its site the next year." New Century Hotel "In 1914, the New Century Hotel, financed by a group of businessmen, was built on the site of the old Keller House. It was a beautiful three story red brick structure of American Colonial design fronted by a tall-pillared double porch. From the beginning, the New Century was a popular lodging place. During the 1930's, under the management of Mrs. Clara Siple, people came long distances to enjoy the hotel's excellent food and cordial atmosphere. Mrs. Eleanor roosevelt was one of its many illustrious guests. Suffering the fate of many other small-town hotels, the New Century was forced to close its doors and was recently torn down" [Recently would related to the 1976 publication date of the book). On page 247 of this book there is a picture of a Romney street scebe looking east. This shows the Parker Hotel in the foreground (which would be the south side of Main Street and west of the Court House). No mention in this book or anything else I have of "Romney Hotel," but the reference "Genie" cited suggests and establishment by that name existed. Thanks to all who tried to help. Nancy