The long-awaited Hotel Royer is now open in Urbana, IL; however, the hotel is no stranger to construction and renovations, as it has changed multiple times over the past 100 years.

Black and white photograph of the Urbana Lincoln Hotel during construction in 1923. A horse and carriage are visible in front of the building.Black and white photograph of the Urbana Lincoln Hotel during construction in 1923. Construction materials and scaffolding are visible in front of the hotel.

Pictured above are photographs taken during the Urbana Lincoln Hotel construction in June 1923. The hotel opened later that year in November. It was designed by local architect Joseph Royer in the Tudor Revival Style.

Black and white photograph of men lined up and standing on stairs in front of a building with columns.

An effort to raise money to build the hotel began in 1921. Pictured above are the business men who helped finance the Urbana Lincoln Hotel by purchasing stock shares.

Black and white photograph of the Urbana Lincoln Hotel taken in 1941. The Tudor decorative elements are visible. Cars are parked in front of the hotel.

Pictured above is the Urbana Lincoln Hotel in 1941, about 4 years after the hotel’s management company went bankrupt in 1937. New management revived the hotel in the 1940s for a little over 30 years before another big change of hand. 

Black and white photograph of the Luncheon Room in the Urbana Lincoln Hotel taken in 1975. The room is full of empty tables with white table cloths, patterns wallpaper, long drapes on the windows and chandeliers.

Pictured above is the “Luncheon Room” of the Urbana Lincoln Hotel in 1975. 

Menu of the Urbana Lincoln Dining Room's last evening of service.

July 19, 1975 was the last evening of the Urbana Lincoln Dining Room. Pictured above is a menu of the last specials served in the hotel, complete with a farewell note from the hotel to its former guests.

Black and white photograph of the interior of the hotel during renovations in the 1970s. A ban is standing over a table working, large slats of wood are leaning around the room.

In the latter half of the 1970s, the Jumer Hotel chain purchased the hotel and began extensive renovations. Pictured above is the hotel taking on Jumer’s look.

Color photograph of the hotel. The sign outside say's Jumer's Castle Lodge. Lincoln Square Mall is attached to the right of the hotel.

Jumer’s Hotel aimed to provide guests with a luxurious, European inspired experience. 

Jumer’s provided a pool, whirlpool, cocktail bars, lounges, fine cuisine, and even limousine services for guests. They boasted having the “charm and warmth long associated with Europe’s hospitable public houses.”

Hotel Royer has preserved some of the 1970 renovations while also providing a newer, more modern feel at the hotel. Do you notice any similarities to the hotels past?

-Maggie Weimer

Archives Assistant