Rush Cityís Grant House remodeling continues

By MaryHelen Swanson
People of the Rush City area seem to have unique ownership of the historic Grant House, a hotel and restaurant that has changed hands many times over the years. So it is no wonder that many are curious about the renovation underway and how soon theyíll be able to share coffee with friends once again in the hotel restaurant.
The Grant House was originally built in 1880, it burned about 15 years later and was rebuilt as the brick building that stands today in 1896.
Now owned by Scot and Laura Bowen, the old structure is undergoing massive remodeling, inside and out.
ìEvery day we get calls about our hours or to make reservations,î said Scot Bowen, even though the restaurant/hotel has been closed for a year .
As they started into the project, the couple discovered there was a lot more work to be done than expected, including the fact that all the wiring and plumbing had to be replaced.
To do this, all of the walls had to be removed, so at this point, the inside the Grant House is virtually gutted and it is pretty much a skeleton of 2 x 4s, beams and bare floors.
Patrons, although anxious to resume their morning coffee, will have to wait several more months before the Grant House reopens, but the Bowens are hoping that that day will come some time this fall.
Both Scot and Laura agreed that when the wiring and plumbing are done, the sheetrocking and rest of the work should go much faster.
Assisting the Bowens in this massive project is their friend John Fuller.
Fuller and Scot and a small crew are at work on the building on a daily basis, and have been working inside all through the winter.
Some of the exterior work completed before the cold weather set in included replacement of all windows and balconies.
The original balconies, Scot said, were only 18-inches high. Over the years they were brought higher, but now they have been rebuilt again to meet todayís code, so they can actually be used, Bowen said.
Major changes will take place in the hotel on the upper two floors. Tiny rooms that held little more than a bed and dresser are being opened up to make larger rooms, and a few multi-room suites, and each will have a bathroom.
The hotel originally had 30 rooms. Over the years, a few were combined and a couple of bathrooms installed, although it was mostly a community bathroom-type operation. When the Bowens finish there will be about a dozen rooms.
It will be run as a hotel, Scot said, not for long-term renting. ìItís not an apartment building,î he said, ìits a hotel.î
The decor will be of the early 1900s. For authenticity, the Bowens have obtained eight claw-foot bathtubs, several coming from the local community. The tubs, along with the buildingís old radiators, have been sandblasted and restored. Each room will have an authentic wooden wall phone, wired for actual use.
While the Bowens found nothing exciting in the walls- no treasures, they said- as they were ripped out for remodeling, there were over 30 pieces of antique furniture in the hotel, which they are having restored.
They even have a rocking chair and a desk from the first Grant House.
There was a host of old pictures, that will be cleaned up and brought back when the building is complete. The couple is also interested in finding photos of the interior of the hotel from years ago.
The Bowens are also excited about two special doors that will be added at the entrance to the dining room.
The old, very tall doors are from the original post office in Rush City, a building that later was the Chevrolet dealership.
The Bowens are trying to restore the building like the original hotel. They would like to replace the enclosed porch on the front (north side) that ran across the entire building, as well as the balcony that ran over the porch. That way both could be used by hotel visitors.
Before winter, they worked on the east side patio area inside the picket fence and hope to open that up to patrons.
The hotel part of the building, Laura Bowen said, needed much more work than the kitchen, although there will be some updating there also.
When the weather warms, they will again work on the grounds. Laura would like to put in gardens on the south side, and they are going to work with Carmen Anderson, owner of the Carlson House, to spruce up the creek area for visitors, possibly even adding a bridge over the creek to connect the two historical buildings.
Some remodeling issues are more complex than usual, Laura noted, as they must work with todayís building codes while keeping the building historic. Somethings they cannot change because of the historic registration include the river rock in the basement, the staircases and stained glass windows.
The Bowens are very satisfied with the cooperation and assistance they have received from county, city and state officials.
When finished, the dining rooms will be handicap accessible as well as bathrooms on the main floor and the city and county worked with them to replace curb and sidewalk in front with a handicap access.
There will be no more diagonal parking in front, most of the parking will be in back of the building. Handicap will be in front.
Besides all the extra work that had not been expected, progress on the building is going a bit slower because the costs are coming out of the Bowens pockets and the bank.
Contrary to what some people are saying, Scot said, they received no grants and no state funding.
When finished, the historic Grant House should again be a fine attraction for the Rush City area and fit for many more years.
For now, curious passersby, anxious patrons who call each day and those who stop by in search of old memories will have to wait a while longer.
ìItís coming along,î Laura concluded.

Top of Page

©ECM Post Review

6448 Main Street
North Branch, MN 55056
Telephone: 651-674-7025
Fax: 651-674-7026
E-mail: editor.postreview@ecm-inc.com