208.1178.2-4

Roland (Iowa) had two hotels in the 1890s before there were any automobiles around. The one seen here on the northwest corner of the north intersection of the business street is the City Hotel. Hotels enjoyed a good business in the days when commercial travelers (i.e., traveling salesmen) were their best customers. The Roland Museum has the registers for these hotels on display [2000]. On October 24, 1896, William McKinley and William J. Bryan signed in as guests of the City Hotel. (McKinley defeated Bryan for the U.S. presidency in 1896 and again in 1900). Both Roland hotels were located a block north of the railroad depot.