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Title: Hotel Colfax, Colfax, Iowa, "Saratoga of the West"
Description: Built by the Old M.C. Springs Development and Improvement Company around 1882 at a cost of $100,000, the Hotel Colfax was originally known as the "Saratoga of the West" and located near the Old Magnesian Chalybeate. After the corporation's management failed in 1892, the hotel was sold to Wesley Jordan for $10,000. In 1904 the hotel was once again losing money so it was sold at a sheriff's sale to Col. James P. Donahue of Davenport. He invested between $600,000 and $700,000 in the property over a four-year period by adding 200 rooms, an electric railway into Colfax, and remodeling of both the inside and outside of the building in a Moorish design. The building was named a miniature city due to the garage and ice and cold storage plants, its electric powerhouse, pumping system and laundry. It is located at 900 North League Road, Colfax, Jasper County, Iowa and is currently being used by Teen Challenge of the Midlands. Number 17186.
Date Created: 1940
PID: grinnell:14568

Title: Hotel Colfax, mineral springs and baths, Colfax, Iowa, "Saratoga of the West"
Description: Built by the Old M.C. Springs Development and Improvement Company around 1882 at a cost of $100,000, the Hotel Colfax was originally known as the "Saratoga of the West" and located near the Old Magnesian Chalybeate. After the corporation's management failed in 1892, the hotel was sold to Wesley Jordan for $10,000. In 1904 the hotel was once again losing money so it was sold at a sheriff's sale to Col. James P. Donahue of Davenport. He invested between $600,000 and $700,000 in the property over a four-year period by adding 200 rooms, an electric railway into Colfax, and remodeling of both the inside and outside of the building in a Moorish design. The building was named a miniature city due to the garage and ice and cold storage plants, its electric powerhouse, pumping system and laundry. It is located at 900 North League Road, Colfax, Jasper County, Iowa, and currently used for Teen Challenge of the Midlands. 1910 postmark. Copyright 1909 by James A Donahue.
Date Created: 1910
PID: grinnell:14569

Title: Mason House and mineral springs, Colfax, Iowa, Mason Hotel
Description: The Mason House was built in 1881 by William Mason Croft, mayor of Colfax, and was located closest to the train depot. In the process of drilling for coal in 1875, a well containing high mineral content was discovered near Colfax. The city flourished with this new discovery, and over the next four decades, thousands of people visited the town to partake in the healing powers of the fourteen mineral springs there. 1909 postmark. Number 157064.
Date Created: 1909
PID: grinnell:14426

Title: Mason House, Colfax, Iowa, Croft, Martha J.
Description: The three-story wooden Mason House was run by Mrs. Martha J. Croft, a favorite resort for traveling men, as well as for those who sought rest and the benefit of the spring water. 1915 postmark. Number 36826.
Date Created: 1915
PID: grinnell:14424