On This Date in Minnesota History: December 8

December 8, 1978¹ – The Jackson Hotel in Anoka, Minn., now Billy’s Bar & Grill, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on this date. It was “built in 1884 after a fire destroyed much of downtown Anoka. [The hotel] was in operation from 1884 through 1875 and played a central role in Anoka's commerce. [It] was located at the hub of water, rail, and overland trade routes, and served a variety of travelers. [The hotel] first served farmers and loggers who brought their goods to Anoka for sale. Later, it served traveling businessmen, politicians, photographers, lecturers, entertainers, and tourists. Traveling salesmen also used the hotel's sample room as a showroom and office. It had a reputation as the leading hotel in Anoka and one of the best hotels in Minnesota.”²

Billy’s Bar & Grill

“On August 16, 1884 a horrible fire swept through Anoka. A total of 86 buildings were destroyed by the fire. On August 22, 1885, just barely past the first anniversary of the fire, the hotel became the scene of Anoka's first murder. A drunken disagreement between friends turned deadly as W.F. Mirick (or possibly Mieriet) opened fire on his pal Peter Gross (a German immigrant) with a revolver. Only one of the shots fired struck Gross. It hit him in the back as he attempted to flee from the gunman.

Mirick ran from the scene of his crime and the mortally wounded Gross managed to drag himself into the hotel. He was taken to a room upstairs and put under the care of a doctor, but died the following night. The killer was eventually caught and convicted for his crime.”³

The building is thought to be haunted. A “spectral woman with red hair is said to appear in a third floor window.”<sup>3   

1</sup>http://nrhp.mnhs.org/NRDetails.cfm?NPSNum=78001525

²http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackson_Hotel_(Anoka,_Minnesota)

³http://www.thecabinet.com/darkdestinations/location.php?sub_id=dark_destinations&letter=b&location_id=billys_bar_and_grill_anoka_mn

Photo taken by Pamela J. Erickson. Released into the public domain 12-8-2012, as long as acknowledgement included.  

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