Spice up your life
Nestled in a triangular, silver-plate frame are three glass bottles with delicate silver lids, which once held salt, black pepper, and white pepper. A ring handle allows for easy transport of the entire castor set, which stands just five inches high. Certainly, we are all familiar with salt and pepper sets that can be found at any number of restaurants. But it is where this specific set was used which is the subject of today’s post. Manufactured by Reed & Barton, this castor set bears the name of its establishment on its base: Hotel Mellen.
Designed by W. R. Walker & Sons, the “five stories…brick and brownstone construction” cost $35,000 when completed in 1888. The hotel, known as The Mellen House, was promoted by George F. Mellen; however, Mr. Mellen was never the operator of the hotel. On October 18, 1888, a dedication and reception were held for over 600 guests. Hotel Mellen would become a leader in hospitality in Fall River from that point on, though the establishment would face some difficulties.
Hotel Mellen faced competition from other hotels in the city, such as the Wilbur and Mohican Hotels. After the great fire of 1928, which demolished competition, the Hotel Mellen was able to reclaim its spot as the leading hostelry. Throughout its history, the building was owned, operated, and leased by various entities.
In September 1943, a fire destroyed the interiors of the building, leading to a complete renovation during the next year. In 1945, the Hotel Mellen once again opened its doors to great fanfare. Now boasting six stories, the hotel featured 138 rooms, all modernized to reflect the current times, including a penthouse on the roof, lounges, and a richly decorated ballroom.
The Hotel Mellen would only last another twenty years, closing its doors as a hotel for good by 1963. From the mid-1960s to the mid-1970s, the building would be utilized as Fall River’s City Hall. Once the current City Hall was built, the once great Hotel Mellen was demolished.
While the building might be gone, the story of one of Fall River’s hotels lives on through pieces such as this castor set.