Bellevue Historical Society

Scroll down to see new pix of Tremont today!

 

The Project

The Bellevue Historical Society has purchased The Tremont House and the restoration project has begun – finally!  It is under-going major restoration to bring it back to its original grandeur. Presently, it is not open to the public, but you can view it from the outside or peek in the windows on the first floor. This was the second hotel in Bellevue. The first floor had small stores; the second floor was the hotel - but not like the hotels we know. This one was a few rooms with cots and one full bathroom that everyone shared.

 

The first step of the project was to remove the old and deteriorated popcorn room which had become quite an eyesore. Of course, there are always complications. Beneath the popcorn room was the original outside entrance to the basement which had been filled in with rubble. This had to be removed and the space filled in properly. Some interesting items were uncovered in therubble including old wooden hat forms, shoe repair items and a pair of baby shoes.

 

We are excited about the progress and look forward to the day when we have our Grand Opening!

 

Tremont History

The Tremont House in Bellevue, Ohio was built by Loel Chandler as the largest three-story brick building in the area in 1846.  It was named after the prominent Tremont House hotel in Boston. It was first used as a hotel and stage stop. The second floor contained the lobby and rooms, and the third floor a ballroom.

The railroad replaced the stagecoach and the building changed with the times. In addition to functioning as a Hotel, the building has functioned as: 

 

• restaurant

• grocery store

• cigar factory

• real estate and other offices

• The IOOF (International Order of Odd Fellows)

• Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company store

• The Green Front Grocery

• Leonard’s Pharmacy

 

The Tremont played an important role in the evolution of Bellevue and the Firelands area. 

 

In 1867 Stephen Harkness, Henry Flagler (both onetime Bellevue residents), and John D. Rockefeller celebrated the signing of the contract that financed the start-up of The Standard Oil Company in the ballroom. The second and third floors are mainly unchanged from 1846.