Historical Reflections

This historic photo has come across the News-Herald desk twice in recent months. Tom Toftey shared the postcard of the Sterling Hotel that was found in his father, Ade Toftey’s collection. The photo is also in the collection of the founder of Joynes Department Store, Howard Joynes. Howard remembers that he worked for the hotel owner, Bella Sterling. He carried firewood into the hotel every day after school. He also remembers that Ms. Sterling bartered for the firewood. She got a winter supply from Fred Frederickson and in return fed Mr. Frederickson through the winter. The hotel is where the East Bay Suites now stands on the east side of Wisconsin Street.