Hotel Radke (Gone)
Savanna, IL
Photo courtesy Kelly Sullivan

Here's the Hotel Radke in Savanna, IL. The old marquee attached to the side of the building is a great reminder of the days when downtown hotels welcomed travelers arriving by train. It's a simple sign, but it gives the building plenty of personality. 09-10

Built in 1888 as the Radke House, the hotel became a longtime fixture along Main Street. Railroad crews from the Burlington lines regularly stayed here during layovers, making it a busy place when train travel was at its peak.

Even after the hotel years came to an end, the building remained a local gathering place. The first floor was home to the Hotel Radke Coffee Shop and later the Townhouse Restaurant, a favorite late-night stop for generations of Savanna residents.

UPDATE: The building still stands and has been repurposed for commercial use, but the vintage hotel marquee has unfortunately been removed during later renovations. 07-26

The Lafayette Hotel (Closed)
Rockford, IL
Photo courtesy Kelly Sullivan

Here's the Lafayette Hotel in Rockford, IL. With its classic brick exterior and old hotel sign, it looks like the kind of place that welcomed travelers long before the big chain hotels took over. It's easy to picture visitors checking in after arriving downtown by train or automobile. 09-10

Opened in 1927, the Lafayette spent many years serving guests in the heart of Rockford before later transitioning into residential housing. Like a lot of downtown hotels, it adapted as travel habits changed over the decades.

Fortunately, the building survived. Rather than disappearing, it was carefully restored and given a new purpose, allowing another generation to enjoy one of downtown Rockford's historic landmarks.

UPDATE: The former hotel reopened in 2026 following a major restoration and now operates as the LaFayette Apartments, providing affordable housing while preserving the building's historic character. 07-26