John Hyatt

The Hyatt Hotel (or Hyatt House) at 401 E. Main Street in Washington, Indiana occupied the southwest corner of Main and 4^th Street from the 1850s to the 1950s.  The majestic, three story brick hotel was built by John Hyatt (1813-1899). When completed, it was the finest hotel in Washington. 

 The Ohio & Mississippi Railroad, between Cincinnati, Ohio and St. Louis, Missouri, was completed in 1857 and ran through Washington.  The railway provided a convenient and reliable way to transport people and merchandise to and from Washington.  Mr. Hyatt recognized the need for a modern hotel to accommodate businessmen and families traveling to Washington.   

In 1860 Mr. Hyatt rented the new hotel to Noah Cook.  In the July 27, 1860 Washington Weekly Telegraph newspaper, Mr. Cook advertised the Hyatt House was “situated . . . a short distance from the O & M Railroad Depot, convenient to the Post Office and a large portion of the business establishments of [Washington].”  He promised: “It is the intention of the proprietor to give such attention to the business that the TRAVELING PUBLIC will find this a pleasant, quiet, and comfortable home to stop at.” 

After the Civil War, John Hyatt transferred the Hyatt Hotel to his son, Henry H. Hyatt (1842-1907).  In 1900 Henry H. Hyatt sold the hotel to Samuel A. Chenoweth of Shoals.  Mr. Chenoweth hired Kate Woodward to be the “proprietress” of the hotel.  A half-page ad in the 1901 Washington City Directory said the “Hyatt House” was the “Best in the City” with rates of “$2.00 per day.” 

In the 1950 Washington City Directory, Terry Alkire was listed as the owner of the Hyatt Hotel.  He advertised “comfortable beds [and] reasonable rates.”  The hotel was demolished in the 1950s.