Hays Hotel A Fostoria Landmark for 116 Years
May 19, 1996, article two

PIX #1 - The Hays Hotel (r) and the Alcott Building (l) were two Fostoria landmarks destroyed by fire May 19, 1962. The Hays Hotel was built in 1846, before the incorporation of Fostoria.

PIX #2 - Scenes from Yesteryear - Panorama of Main St., Perry & Sandusky St. Postcard courtesy of Ray Dell

It was plenty dark at 3:15 a.m. when Allan Kimble was driving down Main St. after a long second shift at Altas Crankshaft. So he had no trouble spotting the flames shooting out of the grill of the business at 112 S. Main St. Kimble rushed immediately to the police station to report the blaze. It was the onset of one of the most spectacular and tragic events in Fostoria’s history - the first that destroyed the Hays Hotel and the Alcott Building. It was May 19, 1962 - exactly 34 years ago today.

In less than an hour most of the Hays Hotel was consumed by the flames and the fire had spread uncontrollably to the Alcott Building. Findlay, Tiffin and Fremont sent firefighters to assist the Fostoria Fire Department but there was no hope for either the Hays Hotel or the Alcott Building.

The fight was now on to save other buildings on the block from destruction. The crucial battle was for the Review-Times building. A skylight was demolished and hoses were run up to the top of the Review building as firefighters waged a desperate and untimely successful fight to contain the fire.

The Hays Hotel, along with the Alcott Building, stood on the southeast corner of the intersection of Main and Center Sts., the area occupied today by the Park ‘n Shop Lot. The Hays Hotel was next to the alley alongside Bill’s and the Alcott Building was to the north.

The Hays Hotel was the oldest hotel in Fostoria and one of the first in this part of Ohio. In fact, the Hays predates the city of Fostoria itself. It was built in 1846, eight years prior to the merging of Rome and Risdon. Ironically, it burned to the ground the next year. It was rebuilt in 1848.

In 1868 it was purchased by David Hays, from whom it took the name it would have for 94 years. Hays renovated it to the tune of $40,000, a princely sum at the time. The Hays Hotel (or Hays House, as it was sometimes known) was highly regarded for its cleanliness, superior ventilation (in an age without air conditioning), “good substantial meals,” and all-around convenience.

The Fostoria Daily proclaimed it “one of the finest inland hotels in the State.” Travelers were greeted at the train depots by “gentlemanly train boys” and “the whole establishment speaks of solid comfort.”

As the inferno raged, the heat became fearsome. The Review-Times reported that windows “crackled” and fell from their frames. The fire’s heat was so intense that a window in the G.C. Murphy store on the other side of Main St. cracked.

It was touch and go as to whether the Review-Times would publish that day. By 8:00 a.m. the phones and the teletype were dead. In spite of difficulties, the paper did go to press.

The smoke from the blaze was so thick that even as the sun came up, it was impossible to see east down Center St.

From the late 1890's through the early ‘30's, the Hays benefited from its location immediately adjacent to the Interurban Station. With direct routes to Fremont, Tiffin and Toledo and connections to Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit and other great cities in the midwest, many “traveling men” came to town and the Hays became a popular waystation for them.

Traveling men typically travel at peak efficiency when there is a source of errr...ahem...ah, well...how shall we say,. . . well...manly beverage nearby and the Hays had a bar (which continued to operate after the hotel end of the business was closed in 1961).

It also had a seven chair barbershop. One of the proprietors of the tonsorial department was a fellow named John Heldt whose hobby was crocheting.

Before the first spread to the Alcott Building, people actually entered it to salvage what they could. Attorneys Les Huth and James Guernsey hauled out typewriters, tape recorders, law books and office equipment and furniture. The folks from Beneficial Finance were in the midst of moving a safe when the police finally ordered everyone out of the building.

It should be noted that many dozens of ordinary Fostorians volunteered to fight the blaze.

George Jackman of Fostoria Electric which was located in the Alcott Building and Alan Burger of Alan’s Shoes which was in Hays Hotel shared duty on a fire hose. They directed a steady stream of fire and watched their businesses burn. Ordinary citizens risked their won safety to go into the Alcott Building and help Les Huth, James Guernsey and other occupants save what they could.

The Hays was more than a hotel for out-of-towners. Paul Krupp recalled in one of his Review-Times Potluck columns that chairs were often set out in front in the warm weather so guests or locals could sit out and “discuss affairs and watch traffic.”

In addition many community groups and service clubs used the dining room at the Hays for their meetings and other get-togethers. It was in that dining room in late 1935 that Fred Morgan of Fred’s Recreation and other members of the Pontiac Club began to formally kick around the notion of a minor league ballclub for Fostoria. In 1936 that dream was realized in the form of the Fostoria Red Birds, the St. Louis farm club that played here from 1936-41.

Paul Krupp also recalled that he used to print menus for the Hays each day when he worked at the Daily Review. When he delivered them it seems he always managed to finagle a free piece of pie from the Hays chef.

By mid morning the fire was out. Fifteen businesses in or near the two consumed buildings suffered complete or partial loss - Alan Burger’s Shoe Store, Beneficial Finance, Merit Shoes, Ash Hat Shop, Two Guys Barber Shop, Kinn & Theobald Ins., Attorney Lester Huth, Guernsey & Guernsey, the Moose Lodge, Block Tax Service, Brown’s Collection, Hedges Cleaners, Stockers Barber Shop, Fostoria Electric and the Review-Times.

So much water was poured on the first that shoes were floating freely in Merit’s Shoe Store. Food for the police, firefighters and volunteers was provided by Dell’s, Kelly’s Hot Dogs, Cozy Corner and Bud’s Bakery. The Red Cross was present to lend a hand. Damage estimates ranged anywhere from a quarter to a half million dollars.

At the time of the fire, the Hays no longer operated as a hotel. The bar, the Hays Grill, Alan’s Shoes and the Ash Hat Shop, all on the first floor were the only businesses operating in the three story building.

Interestingly, the southern-most storefront, the Ash hat Shop, was the original home of Bill’s Economy, established in 1930. When Bill’s moved to its present location in 1936, Idelia Dreitzler, proprietress of The Dress Shop moved in and remained in business until 1957. The Auto Club, run by Harry and Mary Wanzer, and the Hays Taxi Co. also operated out of the Hays Hotel at different times.

The last owner of the Hays Hotel was James Tsantles, who along with his wife, Donna, now reside in Florida most of the year. (Jim reports that the temperature there is in the 80's)

They are instrumental in putting on the Fostoria Day celebration each year in Palmetto. Jim has some fascinating and entertaining recollections of the old place.

In its last days as a hotel it provided residential housing for a number of retirees. It also had some colorful guests. One day Arthur Treacher came to Fostoria due to a faulty train connection. Undaunted, Treacher was holding forth in the bar.

“He was a fascinating fellow to talk to, outgoing and friendly,” Jim remembered. “My mother came by to meet him and she asked if he was really Arthur Treacher. He looked straight ahead in the mirror behind the bar and said, “Madam, there is only one face like this in the world.”

Hopalong Cassidy stopped in Fostoria a few times, touring with a wild west show. “He used to go up and down the bar and talk to people. He always wore his full cowboy regalia so everyone would know who he was”

Jim also recalled that Clyde Beatty used to stay at the Hays whenever the circus was in the area.

It’s coincidental that Sam Shepard, convicted of killing his wife in the fifties, is back in the news. He used to stay at the Hays Hotel. “Shepard owned property here in Fostoria.” explained Jim. “He had a couple buildings on Center St. and came to Fostoria about twice a year. There was nothing about him that gave the impression he was capable of doing something like that.”

So on May 19, 1962 the Hays Hotel, a Fostoria landmark before Fostoria was, passed into history. Today it’s just a memory. It’s ironic that even if it had been spared the ravages of the fire that day, it would shortly have fallen to the wrecking ball. The Hays was slated to be demolished and a new building erected in its place. If it were still standing today, this would be its 150th year.

But 116 years the Hays Hotel was were Fostoria put its best foot forward for visitors and it was a centerpiece for civic and social life here in town. Like Jim Tsantles said, “Yes, the Hays Hotel was quite a popular spot.”