St. Charles Home Inspector
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St. Charles was quickly transforming itself into a "resort town". In the years leading up to 1920, factory workers immigrated to St. Charles as industries like the Cable Piano Factory and Moline Malleable grew. However, in the 20s and 30s, tourism and philanthropy exploded taking over the growth and persona of the town.
Tourism was inevitable in St. Charles due to its beautiful parks and scenic river views. The boom occurred after the construction of the Hotel Baker and Arcada Theatre in the late 1920s. The Hotel, built by Edward Baker, became so popular as a romantic getaway that it was nicknamed "the honeymoon hotel." Lester Norris designed the Arcada Theatre with influence from his travels around the world, giving the Theatre Spanish baroque style. Even Main Street bridge was renovated in 1927 to compliment the Hotel Baker and Arcada Theatre. The combination of the two structures turned St. Charles into a favorite retreat for urbanites.
What does the rise of tourism and philanthropy have to do with barbed wire and Texaco Stations? All are connected through the nationally-known Norris and Baker families, both wealthy residents of St. Charles. Their effect on the town was dramatic and clear, although, the source of their terrific wealth is not easily understood. It all started with one fascinating man who has no direct connection to St. Charles: John Warne Gates.
In the following years, Gates associated with two gentlemen from DeKalb, Illinois with whom he made his first fortune selling barbed wire. Their fortune began with the need to isolated thousands of cattle on ranges in the West. It was cheap, fast, and fairly maintenance free; an ideal fencing material for large tracks of land. Gates’ business ventures did not stop at barbed wire, however. Using his financial wizardry, Gates invested money in Texas land. By 1902, his land struck oil. He subsequently founded Texas Oil Company, later known as Texaco.
Tragically, Gates and his immediate family did not live long enough to enjoy their vast wealth. Not long after Gates’ death in 1911, his wife and r
Edward Baker was given the honorary title of "Colonel" by a Kentucky governor for his love and care of fine racing horses. At 40, he inherited the Gates fortune. In addition to his visible contributions to the city, in 1928 he brought the tourist industry to new heights with the construction of the Hotel Baker. The Hotel, combined with other attractions like the scenic river views, the Arcada Theatre, and the abundant parks and activities, changed St. Charles into a weekend resort town.
The Rainbow Room of the Baker drew top-notch entertainers. Louis Armstrong, Tommy Dorsey, Guy Lombardo, Lawrence Welk, and Eddie Duchin were among the talents to have graced the floor and entertained huge crowds every night. The music from the Baker was piped across the river into the Municipal Building during the 1940s.
Famous guests of the Baker included: John F. Kennedy, Gerald Ford, Jim Thompson, Everett Dirksen, Adlai Stevenson, Edmond Muskie, Charles Percy, Richard J. Daley, Billy Graham, Len O’Conner, Jeanette MacDonald, Mary Martin, Edward Arnold, Edgar Bergen, Tommy Dorsey, and Lawrence Welk. Many of the entertainers were performing at the Rainbow Room or the Arcada Theatre. In addition, because Baker was a staunch republican, politicians stayed at the Baker as the hotel was considered the headquarters for the republican party.