During the early days of train travel as many as seven hotels were recorded as operating in Humeston at the same time.
In the early days meals were served at the hotel and a large brass bell notified the people that the food was ready. People went into eat only at mealtime. Short orders were not served.
Ben KING built the King Hotel in 1876 about half a block south of Summer Street on the East side of Front.
The Wabash House was built in 1882, as a boarding house for railroad men. It was north of the Union Depot, in the Y. It burned in 1895 without insurance. The hotel was built by the Wabash Railroad.
The Commercial Hotel's name changed from Commercial House to Central, during 1886. In 1897 Robert MIDDLEBROOK moved the hotel to the corner of Eaton and Spring. This was known many years as Reed Merrick's house corner. The hotel was used by the college for one term until the college was completed.
Hotel Humeston was operating, located near what is now the area community center.
The King Hotel remained on Front St. for about 2 years and then it was moved uptown and later torn down to make way for another building.
Hotel Lawton was a small hotel operated by the AUCHMOODY family, one mile east and half mile north of town.
The Depot Hotel
The Depot (Reid) Hotel was the longest running hotel.
The Depot hotel had been built in June, 1885 by J.W. MARKLEY. E.M. REID purchased it in 1903. It changed many times in managers and owners. 1931 marked the end of the era of the hotels in Humeston. C.C. BLACKMAN of Keokuk took a few days vacation from his job as railroad brakeman to freshen up the interior of the hotel.
It was located across the tracks west of the depot,
and was a haven to the transient public.
But it burned that April.
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