Was at 905-911 Calhoun Street. Currently the Indiana Michigan Power Center Plaza, address 110 E. Wayne Street, previously known as One Summit Square, tallest building in Fort Wayne. See Street View from Google Maps.
1909 - Alt Heidelberg - A Bit of Old Germany - Dan Clemons Stag Hotel - Real Bohemia - Old World
Article from Jun 27, 1909 The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne, Indiana) 1909, Alt heidelberg, Dan clemons1909 - Alt Heidelberg - A Bit of Old Germany - Dan Clemons Stag Hotel - Real Bohemia - Old World The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Sunday, June 27, 1909, Page 30
"ALT HEIDELBERG"
A Bit of Old Germany Appears Amongst Us -- Dan Clemmons' Stag Hotel Will Give Fort Wayne a Home for the Real Bohemia -- A Quaint Old World Structure With Modern Comforts.
Bohemia! The magic word of a magic land, the delight, consolation and life of the happiest and most cosmopolitan race the world has ever known, the envy of those who know it not, the elusive vagaband of societies conventions and the deepest regret of all who leave this vale of tears its delights untried or left behind.
There have been Bohemia of past and other days, there are Bohemia of today but the Bohemia, of book and story is soon to be a part of Fort Wayne cosmopolitan life. A little echo of the happy time that it will renew come to all th devotees when the statement is made that Mr Dan Clemmons is to have twenty-six rooms in his hotel and is going to published the fact over his own signature for the benefit of all concorned. The secret is out. Bohemia will be Dan Clemmons "Alt Heidelberg" the stag hotel he is now completing.
"Alt Heidelberg" is to have an interesting history when the shades of all of us will be getting accustomed to the change. Already it has an interesting history. The building situated at No. 905 to 911 Calhoun street has from time immemorial, as time immemorial goes in Fort Wayne, been a hotel. Old residents tell us that it was built on seventy or eighty years ago by "old man Meyer" and that it was the stopping place for the stag coaches in the days of the poet chaise. The stable for the animals were on the present site of the White Fruit House and the place was on of the busiest in the then great west. Quided by various hands it has slipped down on the stream of the years, scarred by the rocks of time and hallowed by the memories of it one-time greatness to appear again as one of the really artistic and handsome structures of the new city. It is safe to say that not a building in the country will have a more artistic and striking exterior appearance than will "Alt Heidelberg.
In the old fashioned German way has the building been designed and the exterior with it fancy toppings. Its stacco work, its small diamond shaped windows and its low arched entrances will be a part of one of the more picturesque German inland towns set down on our own busy streets. The German idea has been carried out in every detail of interior and exterior construction. One must also say the old fashioned German idea has been carried out for the place is really a most faithful reproduction of some the Bohemian resorts of the old country. The beam ceilings, the old style mission furniture, the terrace floor all make a delightful and refreshing and too a mighty comfortable and pleasant bit of realised dream.
The impression is not to be gathered that comforts of modern days will be denied the lodger in Alt Heidelberg. The service to be rendered will in every respect be as modern as is thought and money can make it. The building will be heated by steam throughout, electrically lighted and the minor details cared for with all thoroughness. It will in fact be a happy blending of the old and the new with out the sacrifice of traditions or masterful things. The building is three stories and the ground floor will consist of the office, the bar a restaurant for ladles and gentlemen and a dining room for the public. It will be Mr Clemmons' ambition in the management of the drinking room: to do away with the American custom of standing at the bar and he has provided a most happy arrangement of cosy seats for the convenience of his patrons.
The room will be furnished in a most comfortable and homelike style and will be spacious, well ventilated, lighted and artistically decorated. There will be two tub baths and two shower baths on each floor and hot and cold running water in every room. The cement walls ceilings and floors will make the building one of the coolest possible. In the summer time and ensure perfect comfort at small cost in the winter time.
It was Mr Clemmons ambition in establishing "Alt Heidelberg" to provide a place where men in search of rest and recreation might find the surroundings they enjoy in their own club where they might bring their wive or friends for a lunch at any time as fancy struck them and find there always that refinement that concerns of the right kind of good fellowship. The cafe will not face the street but the restaurant now known as the Home restaurant will pass under the management of Mr. Clemmons and will continue as a popular priced eating place.
"Alt Heidelberg" will cater to that male portion of the traveling public who prefer the exclusiveness of the stag hotel, with its comfortable freedom and the charm of artistic and homelike surroundings to the glitter and bustle of th modern hostelry. The hotel will be conducted on the European plan and Mr. Clemmon will give it his most sealous personal attention as it is to be his pride.
Mr Clemnons reputation as a tickler of mens fancies and a caterer of the most accomplished kind is too well known to need comment. "Alt Heidelberg will be the most exclusive hostelry for miles about and the wine and liquors and eatables will be gathered from many lands and climes. Local Bohemia has com into its own.
1909 - "Come On To Alt Heidelberg" - Everybody's Waiting For The Invitation From Dan Clemons The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Thursday, August 5, 1909, Page 2.1909 - "Come On To Alt Heidelberg" - Everybody's Waiting For The Invitation From Dan Clemons
Article from Aug 5, 1909 The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne, Indiana) 1909, Alt heidelberg, Daniel clemons
1909 - Open for Business Tuesday - Alt Heidelberg - Dan Clemons - German Bohemia
Article from Aug 9, 1909 The Fort Wayne Sentinel (Fort Wayne, Indiana) 1909, Alt heidelberg, Dan clemons1909 - Open for Business Tuesday - Alt Heidelberg - Dan Clemons - German Bohemia The Fort Wayne Sentinel, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Monday, August 9, 1909, Page 4.
Open for Business Tuesday
Fort Wayne's Newest and Most Artistic Hotel
The latest addition to this city's list of up-to-date and handsome hostelries is "Alt Heidelberg" informally opened by Mr. Dan Clemens on Saturday morning, and which will be formally opened for business Tuesday morning. All day Saturday the pretty and artistic building was thronged by crowds eager to see what a modern hotel, modelled after the old time inns of Germany was really like. They had a treat they will not soon forget. Much has been written about this newest hostelry, but now every one in the city should come and see the home of Fort Wayne's Bohemia.
October 28, 2017 was posted by the original Great Memories and History of Fort Wayne, Indiana page on Facebook and July 17, 2024 on the Great Memories and History of Fort Wayne Private Facebook Group
1909 - biggest improvement of the week local hotels Alt Heidelberg artistic new electric sign
Article from Aug 22, 1909 The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne, Indiana) 1909, Alt heidelberg, Electric sign1909 - biggest improvement of the week local hotels Alt Heidelberg artistic new electric sign The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Sunday, August 22, 1909, Page 16.
The biggest local hotels improvement of the week to local hotels must be awarded to the Alt Heidelberg, with a dazzling and artistic new electric sign.
1909 - Germania Cafe Closed Last Night - Abandoned for Alt Heidelberg - Dan Clemons
Article from Aug 30, 1909 The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne, Indiana) 1909, Alt heidelberg, Dan Clemons, Germania cafe1909 - Germania Cafe Closed Last Night - Abandoned for Alt Heidelberg - Dan Clemons The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Monday, August 30, 1909, Page 5.
GERMANIA CAFE CLOSED LAST NIGHT
Popular Eating Place Abandoned for Alt Heidelberg.
The Germania Cafe, after four and half years of great success and popularity, was closed at midnight last night by the proprietor, Dan Clemens, who will now turn his entire interests in the restaurant business to the new Alt Heidelberg, recently opened on Calhoun street by Mr. Clemens. The closing of the Germania bar affects only the cage and the Germania bar will continue in operation until further notice, says Mr. Clemens. The Germania was taken over by Clemens more than four years ago and was turned from a losing venture into an established and paying investment under his able management, by which he has established a reputation for his Alt Heidelberg.
1909 - Orchestra For Alt Heidelberg - Popular Hostelry Well Known Musicians - Daily, Noon, Evening
Article from Nov 28, 1909 The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne, Indiana) Alt heidelberg, 19091909 - Orchestra For Alt Heidelberg - Popular Hostelry Well Known Musicians - Daily, Noon, Evening The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Sunday, November 28, 1909, Page 20.
ORCHESTRA FOR ALT HEIDELBERG
POPULAR HOSTELRY SECURES SERVICES OF WELL KNOWN MUSICIANS.
Will Be Fixture at the Cafe will Play Daily, Noon and EveningHeidelberg the Only Exolusive a la Carte Cafe in the City.
Beginning to-day Alt Heidelberg will be the real metropolitan cafe that it was meant to be from the moment of its conception in the mind of Dan Clemmens, the genius of good entertainers in Fort Wayne, The finishing touch, came when Mr. Clemmena secured the services of the Kent Gage string orchestra for his cafe exclusively. This is both a business triumph for Mr. Clemmens and a musical triumph for this city. Mr. Gage has for a number of years resided in Marion, but his musical fame has not been confined to that city. He is a harpist of wonderful technique and his rendition of Hungarian music is particularly, well spoken of.
Mr. Clemmens has given Fort Wayne its first taste of metropolitan cafe life and it has taken so well that space has become a desperate consideration with him. He will begin this week to enlarge his kitchen and a number of other changes are in contemplation. Alt Heidelberg the only exclusive a la carte cafe in the city. This sounds like nothing much at all but to the discriminating diner it is a great deal. Those who know find that a regular dinner bill, that is a dinner that is served alike to all comers for a certain price, is sure to contain a number of articles that do not appeal, to the individual appetite. This is money wasted for him. But this isn't all. Take a dish of peas for instance, when served with a regular dinner. If the customer only eats part of the dish the remainder finds their natural resting place in the next dish for the next customer. In the exclusive a la carte plan the customers pays only for what he wants and what is served him is cooked for his individual use. Mr. Clemmens has done it at a cost to the diner that makes the a la carte plan the best bet. Alt Heidelberg presents the very unique spectacle of a German cafe run on the most metropolitan plan, satisfying the most fastidious and losing none of its German charm and quality.
Fort Wayne Indiana Alt Heidelberg Hotel Restaurant Horse & Buggy Postcard 1908 on ebay.
Postcard postmarked June 14, 1912. Alt Heidelberg Hotel and Cafe, Fort Wayne, Indiana, circa 1912 - ia-0001-3566A at The Indiana Album.
Description: Postmarked June 14, 1912. The Alt Heidelberg was established by Dan Clemons, who in 1909 transformed an old hotel building into a German-themed "stag hotel" with German architectural details such as a stucco facade, diamond-shaped windows, and arched doorways. It was marketed as "the home of Fort Wayne's Bohemia," and featured a bar, restaurant, and a 26-room hotel. It catered to "the male portion of the traveling public who prefer the exclusiveness of the stag hotel."
Discussed March 5, 2024 on True Fort Wayne Indiana History on Facebook.
1912 - Fort Wayne Hotels Eating Houses Best in the Land - Facts - Allen County Worth The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Sunday, March 17, 1912, Page 23.1912 - Fort Wayne Hotels Eating Houses Best in the Land - Facts - Allen County Worth
Article from Mar 17, 1912 The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne, Indiana) 1912, Fort wayne, Indiana, Allen county, Facts
1913 - Fort Wayne Hotels House Good-Sized Army of Guests Each Night the Entire Year 'Round
Article from Jul 12, 1913 The Fort Wayne News and Sentinel (Fort Wayne, Indiana) 1913, Fort wayne, Hotels, Indiana, Alt heidelberg, Anthony, Baltes, Centlivre, Rich, Wayne1913 - Fort Wayne Hotels House Good-Sized Army of Guests Each Night the Entire Year 'Round The Fort Wayne News and Sentinel, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Saturday, July 12, 1913, Page 12.
1913 - Ft. Wayne Hotels (continued) The Fort Wayne Sentinel, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Saturday, July 12, 1913, Page 13.
1914 - Someone You Know - Der Alt Heidelberg - Daniel Clemons
Article from Feb 28, 1914 The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne, Indiana) 1914, Alt heidelberg, Daniel clemons1914 - Someone You Know - Der Alt Heidelberg - Daniel ClemonsThe Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Saturday, February 28, 1914, Page 1.
Someone You Know
Ever since his wooden shoes clattered down the gang plank of a cattle steamer at Ellis island some twenty years ago and he passed the then rather lax inspection and was deemed a desirable citizen. Daniel Clemens has been making money and frienda in America most of it and them in Fort Wayne.
It is not the intention to depict Dan as a millionaire, as would be the natural conclusion if the statement was taken to mean that his finances are in proportion to his friends.
Dan's first big business venture in this city was the Germania cafe. After few years of success there he leased the old Central hotel property on Calhoun street, near Wayne, and erected the Alt Heidelberg hotel and cafe. The place, finished and furnished in German style throughout, is like a corner of the old world and is one of the most popular and widely known establishments of the kind in the state.
Fort Wayne Indiana Alt Heidelberg Hotel Restaurant Postcard 1913 Old Car JB7 on ebay.
1915 - Alt Heidelberg - Opening - Famous Entertainers Fort Wayne Daily News, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Monday, June 7, 1915, Page 7.1915 - Alt Heidelberg - Opening - Famous Entertainers
Article from Jun 7, 1915 Fort Wayne Daily News (Fort Wayne, Indiana) 1915, Alt heidelberg
Page 346, The pictorial history of Fort Wayne, Indiana : a review of two centuries of occupation of the region about the head of the Maumee River Volume 1 by Griswold, B. J. (Bert Joseph), 1873-1927; Taylor, Samuel R., Mrs, Publication date: 1917 on Archive.org.
THE MAYER HOUSE. Originally known as the Palo Alto house, the building here shown was erected by Frank Rohle in 1839, at the southeast corner of Wayne and Calhoun streets. In 1850 George J. E. Mayer purchased the property and built a twostory addition at the south. The name of the hotel was then changed to the Mayer house. At a later time a third floor was added to the corner building. This was remodeled and enlarged into the store rooms occupied by the White Fruit House (now by the Grand Leader department store). The south part was remodeled to form a portion of the Grand Central hotel, which is now the Alt Heidelberg hotel. The illustration is from a woodcut print loaned by Frank M. Randall. (See Chapter XXVII.)
