Kelly House

While driving down Kendallville's Main Street, on the corner of Mitchell St. and Main St., sits a building that catches the eyes of passersby. The three-story building stands out in comparison to the others. The building occupies three storefronts and contains two rows of ten windows on the front and two rows of four on the side of the building. This structure was the site of a former pillar of the community, best known as the Kelly House. 

 Before the Civil War, the Kelly House, or Kelly Hotel, developed significantly in the Kendallville community. Built by Herman Krueger, John Kelly later bought it. The three-story building had a distinct wooden tower centered on the front of the building. The large stature of the structure towered over other downtown buildings. The Kelly House was one of overnight accommodations available for travelers passing through the city, located just blocks from the train station. The Kelly House was a prime location to exchange information, discuss current events, and gossip with out-of-town guests. A traveler addressed a crowd outside of the Kelly House just days after the fall of Fort Sumter. The unknown orator was educated on current events and well-spoken. His prose captured the imagination and attention of locals.^[1] 

On September 10, 1886, a fire broke out on the 100 Block of South Main Street. All of the businesses on the block were affected by the flames. Volunteers heroically collaborated to save the Kelly House during the fire. The hotel suffered minor damage and opened the following day. The Kelly House became the headquarters for the recovery effort.^[2] The hotel quickly resumed operations serving breakfast and housing guests. Several insurance agents stayed at the Kelly House in the following week. 

One of the most notable guests of the Kelly House was William Jennings Bryan. In 1899, the three-time presidential candidate stayed in Kendallville after making an appearance at the Rome City Chautauqua Days. While staying at the Kelly House, Bryan spoke to a large crowd on South Main Street. The booming orator's voice reached all of those in attendance. ^[3]

The Kelly House went out of business in the years following World War I. The Masonic Lodge moved into the upper floor of the building. In 1928, Atz Furniture opened up on the ground floor of the building. ^[4] Once Atz Furniture moved locations, the former Kelly House was separated into three different business fronts. Some of the businesses that occupied the building were a grocery store and a theater. The former Kelly House storefront currently houses Kendallville Auto Value

[1] Weston Goodspeed, Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana: Historical and Biographical (Chicago, F. A Battey Company Publishing, 1882), 91.

[2] Terry Housholder, 150 Years Kendallville Indiana, 1863 – 2013 (Kendallville: KPC Media Group, 2013) 211.

[3] Housholder, 150 Years, 281.

[4] Grace Housholder, “Atz Furniture to Close After 98 Years in Business,” Kendallville News Sun, April 4, 2020, https://www.kpcnews.com/news/article_35dc3212-f6bc-5aee-a7b2-d9d3efb5c5d3.html.