Ansorge Hotel, Hotel from 1907 in Curlew, United States
The Ansorge Hotel is a two-story building with stamped metal siding designed to resemble stone blocks, featuring corner window bays and a second-floor balcony. The structure displays typical features of early 20th century railroad hotels in remote locations.
Built in 1907, the hotel was constructed to serve Great Northern Railway passengers and housed the community's only long-distance telephone exchange from 1912 through the mid-20th century. This telephone function made the building a critical communications hub for Curlew in an isolated region.
The hotel served as a social hub where travelers and local residents gathered to share news and maintain connection with the outside world. This role reflects how important such places were for small communities situated far from major cities.
The building is accessible for visits from Memorial Day through Labor Day on weekends, when the Kettle River History Club regularly offers tours. Plan your visit for Friday through Monday to see the interior and learn about life at a historic railroad station.
The building was constructed with deliberately absent right angles as a design strategy to withstand constant vibrations from the nearby rail station. This unusual construction solution demonstrates how architects addressed the challenges posed by railroad activity in this remote area.
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