Hotel James

History of Palatka’s Hotel James

The Hotel James is a three-story brick former hotel in downtown Palatka, Florida, located on the site of the former Arlington Hotel. Constructed by local entrepreneur Dr. George Edward Welch and owned by Robert “Bob” James, the structure initially featured retail spaces on the ground floor, with hotel accommodations occupying the second and third levels. The building’s initial section was completed in 1916 and expanded in 1924. A notable example of Prairie-style architecture, the Hotel James showcases defining elements such as strong horizontal lines, a flat roof, and decorative terracotta moldings.

Henry J. Klutho, the Architect

Designed by renowned architect Henry John Klutho, the Hotel James reflects his mastery of Prairie Style architecture, a movement strongly influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright. Klutho’s impact is most evident in Jacksonville, where he gained prominence in the early 20th century, particularly in the aftermath of the Great Fire of 1901. This event allowed him to design numerous commercial and residential buildings, many of which still stand in Jacksonville’s historic districts. These include the Bisbee and Florida Life Buildings, the Claude Nolan Cadillac Building, the Florida Baptist Convention Building, and the no longer extant Moulton and Kyle Funeral Home.

Klutho was the first Florida-based architect admitted to the American Institute of Architects. While Jacksonville remains home to many of his most recognized works, his architectural influence extended throughout Florida. Klutho’s other projects in Palatka included the now-demolished old city hall and the 1929 Larimer Memorial Library commissioned by Pennsylvania native James Ross Mellon. Additionally, he designed the 1924 expansion of the Hotel James.

According to the Prarie School Traveler, “Klutho grouped the second and third-story windows between brick pilasters with limestone sills and heads framing each opening, much as he had treated the south facade of the Florida Life Tower in 1911. At each corner and at a secondary entrance, large brick pilasters rise above the roof parapets with fine abstract Prairie School terra cotta decoration. This decoration terminates delicate, projecting brick finials that run from the horizontal band at the second-story continuous sill. A projecting, shingled brow occurs over the third-floor windows above a perforated ventilation band serving the roof framing behind.”

Dr. George E. Welch, Pioneer Physician

Dr. Welch was born in Jessamine City, Kentucky, and graduated from Louisville Medical College. He began his medical practice in Welaka, a small town in Putnam County, before settling in Palatka, where he served the community for 48 years. Although he had retired from active practice in the four or five years before his death, many longtime patients continued to seek his care.

In addition to his medical career, Dr. Welch was a former mayor of the city and served for many years as president of the old Putnam National Bank. During the Great Depression, many banks nationwide closed their doors, with the Putnam National Bank closing on December 31, 1932. According to his obituary, following the collapse of the Putnam National Bank, Dr. Welch suffered a general breakdown, from which he has never recovered. His condition deteriorated until his passing on September 15, 1934, at the home of his son-in-law, Dr. Edward Jelks, who was a founding member of Blue Shield of Florida. At the time of his passing, Welch was also a member of the state board of medical examiners.

“Bob” James, The Owner

The Hotel James was operated by Robert “Bob” James, after whom the hotel is named. James was born in Manchester, England, on March 27, 1877, coming to the United States in 1884 at seven years old. James and his stepfather, Charles H. Kupperbusch Sr., for many years, owned and operated the renowned Kupperbusch Hotel in Florida.

Born in Düsseldorf, Germany, Kupperbusch served as a young soldier in the German army during its victorious war against France. In recognition of his service, he was awarded a Bismarck medal, a distinction he cherished throughout his life. After the war, Mr. Kupperbusch immigrated to America, settling in Palatka in 1882. He worked in a local hotel before opening a restaurant, becoming one of Florida’s most popular dining establishments.

“Bob” James also successfully operated Robert James’ Restaurant and Bob’s Cafe in Palatka. After his stepfather leased the Kupperbusch Hotel in 1915, James assumed ownership of the Hotel James and moved his cafe there. He successfully ran the hotel until health issues compelled him to sell it to his brother-in-law and sister, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Smith. “Bob” James died on June 22, 1925.

The Hotel

After just six months of construction, the Hotel James opened its doors on November 10, 1916, and was compared to the Putnam House Hotel, but having all the comforts and elegance on a small scale with modest prices. The cafe was operated by the owner, Robert “Bob” James, and described in a Palatka News and Advertiser article as “large, airy, elegant.”

“There are thirty-two sleeping rooms, 16 on each floor. The 16 on the second floor each have private baths. The beds are the highest conceptions of style and comfort and each room has a costly rug and other artistic furnishings. On the third floor, the rooms are just as fine and as finely furnished, but they lack in private baths, though each room has a stationary lavatory with hot and cold water, and there are toilets for gentlemen and ladies opening into the centre hall.”

The hotel closed in 1984 and was sold to Jack W. Allen and his wife Betty and was operated as an apartment building. By 1987, the Allens were operating the building as an assisted living facility under a non-profit organization called Arlington House, Inc. As the location no longer suited the needs of Arlington House, a new location outside of downtown Palatka was purchased.

Restoration Efforts

For the next three decades, the building sat empty until it was purchased in 2018 by co-owners Palatka resident Tate Miller and California resident Mei-Ling Wang for $200,000. The two had plans to invest between $3.2 million and $3.5 million in its restoration. The ground floor would have been transformed into a retail space for a “world-class restaurateur,” while the second and third floors were to be converted into a boutique hotel featuring 20 to 25 rooms and a rooftop bar.

Due to their work, the building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2019 due to having been designed by Henry Klutho. In early 2021, cement planters from the ’80s, when the hotel closed down, were returned and placed along the window sills. Much of the hotel was gutted down to its bones, but the restoration never got any further.

In May 2021, the former Hotel James was purchased under Hotel James Palatka LLC. No plans have been announced for what’s in store for the aging structure.

Photo Gallery