Know Your Neighborhood: Before the Wyndham on 4th St.....

The Merchants' Hotel, 40 - 50 N 4th St., was built in 1837 by Philadelphia architect William Strickland for a group of business men who felt the need of providing "up-to-date quarters" in the business district for visiting customers. For a long period it was considered one of the best hotels of its class in the country.  It was said the hotel could house up to 500 guests. The Merchant's Hotel was visited by the Presidents Van Buren, Pierce, and Buchanan (who also used the hotel as his presidential campaign headquarters in 1856).

With the shifting of trade to other parts of the city and the erection of the other more elaborate hotels, the Merchants became a less desirable place to stay. It ceased to be profitable and was converted for manufacturing and mercantile purposes.

During the night of February 9, 1966 the Merchants' Hotel (by this time used as a warehouse and for office space) was totally destroyed by fire.

The Wyndham Hotel currently sits on the site of the old hotel.

mid 19th century drawing

1910

                           in the 1960's

1960's

N side in the 60's

1977 Holiday Inn

today