#WBGZ

[derelictdoug]

The Stratford is a historic 🏨 in Alton, Illinois. It opened in 1909 under the name the Illini 🏩. St. Louis architectural firm Barnett, Haynes & Barnett designed the 🏩 in the Classical Revival style. The came up with this gorgeous five-story brick building. On which features brick quoins, limestone bands, sweeping window sills, view of the Mississippi and terra cotta-ornamentation. One year after opening the 🏩 opened a rooftop garden and a reception room. By 1912 it became one of the hotels which drew many visitors to Alton; a contemporary 🗞️ account described the building as part of the “greatest improvement in property in the city of Alton”. In 1925, new owner E. J. Lockyer renamed the 🏩 to its current name. This decision was largely influenced by the new owners 💛 for everything Shakespeare. Like most owner-operated hotels, it experienced a slowing of business through the 1960s and 1980s. During this period, several of the 🏩’s floors were closed; while others were rented out to businesses. Though by 1990 the 🏩 had started to crumble and was no longer the place to be seen, the 🏩 Stratford was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000. At this point, only one floor remained open, with 12 rooms available for guest use. Also at this time, it was prominently featured in a major motion picture; “The Big Brass Ring”. However; it was featured as a run-down 🏩 in the film. After more than 💯 years, in 2011; the historic 🏩 Stratford closed its doors on Halloween (Oct. 31, 2011). Over the century of use, the 🏩 served as a restaurant, bar, banquet center and home for several long-term residents. The current owner, Bill Moyer; said there still are two permanent residents at the 🏩, and they are finding new places to live. A few street-level businesses below the 🏩, including Edward Jones, the Sierra Club, and WBGZ Radio, still operate after the 🏩’s closure. Moyer said he plans to prepare the structure for “hibernation” in the hopes that he someday will be able to fulfill his dream of renovating the building to its former glory. Let’s hope Bill can make this happen before it’s too late. For me, the strangest thing is the radio station still broadcasting from the basement, WBGZ. It’s a local news channel, operated by a group of residents. I’ve found myself listening to their live stream while thinking of my visits to this haunting 🏩.

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[1rootsrocker]

@hookiestlouis on WBGZ!!! #stlouismusic #livemusic #alton #altonil https://www.instagram.com/p/BuKfxT1hjuU/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1rqp5k4s1107n

[ilschoolnews]

Illinois Gets High Marks for Early Education | RiverBender.com WBGZ Radio https://ift.tt/34CVlNF

[iltopheadlines5]

Is Job Protection the Reason for Consolidation Opposition? | RiverBender.com WBGZ Radio https://ift.tt/2vjA5wo

[iltopheadlines4]

Is Job Protection the Reason for Consolidation Opposition? | RiverBender.com WBGZ Radio https://ift.tt/2vjA5wo

[riverbendercom]

Land of Lincoln Honor Flight honors WBGZ

http://dlvr.it/NlhhvP

[1rootsrocker]

#HOOKiE was at The Big Z, 94.3 WBGZ, promoting our set at Rock The Hops this SAT @ Hops House in the Argosy Casino, 6:45pm!!! #rockthehops #alton hookiemusic.com (at Wbgz 1570 Radio)