1890 - 1905: This block of First Avenue NE became the hotel center of Cedar Rapids. In addition to the Grand Hotel at the corner of Third Street NE, two additional hotels were built between the Grand and the old railroad station: The Palace Hotel and the Pullman Hotel. The Pullman was initially a wobbly looking two story frame structure. All three of these hotels offered fine saloons in the years before Prohibition. Meanwhile, behind the hotels on the north end of this block was a large lumberyard. In about 1901, a “viaduct” bridge was built for A Avenue NE behind this block from Third Street NE to the “Hill” so vehicles and people could travel over the downtown railroad tracks.
 |
 |
