Pictured above is John Roberts in 1871, who at the time of this photo was proprietor of R.M. Scott's National Hotel in Menasha. Later, he gained much notoriety and fortune as the owner and keeper of Robert's Resort in Neenah, built on the grounds of Governor Doty's former farm in 1877. That business did very well in attracting customers, so well in fact that three guest cottages were built on the grounds in 1881. Mr. Roberts died in July of 1895 after a nasty fall.
The Roberts Resort property was sold in 1905 to John Strange who remodeled the hotel as his home. He donated Doty Cabin to the city of Neenah in 1923 and had it moved to the park just west of his property. The property remain with the Strange family until 1965 when it was sold, subdivided and the old resort was razed.
see also: http://williamwatersoshkosharchitect.blogspot.com/2013/11/roberts-resort.html
for more details on Roberts Resort
from Memories of Doty Island : a link between two cities (1999)
Before moving to Menasha, Roberts ran the Whitney House in Columbus, Wisconsin.
ReplyDeleteHe was an avid outdoorsman and experienced hotel keeper. He did quite well by joining his two talents.