Clinton Inn History

The Clinton Inn opened on Thanksgiving Day in 1901 as the Clintonian Hotel. Built by Alonzo Clark, the three-story brick hotel quickly became one of the most recognizable buildings in downtown Clinton, Michigan.

When it opened, the hotel had approximately 35 small rooms and did not yet have running water or indoor plumbing. The building included fireplaces throughout, a first-floor dining room, and a drummers room where traveling salesmen could display their goods. That former drummers room is now the front coffeehouse space facing Michigan Avenue.

The smaller first-floor dining room, later known as the Red Room, was the original dining room and served hotel guests, business travelers, and the local community.

Over the years, the building changed many times to meet the needs of each generation. Running water and indoor plumbing were added in the early 1900s. As bathrooms were added, some of the original hotel rooms were converted, reducing the total number of guest rooms. A steam boiler heating system was also installed and remains part of the building’s historic mechanical story.

In 1916, William B. Richmond purchased the hotel and renamed it The Clintonian Hotel. A photo label from the historical records notes that the ball on top of the tower was struck by lightning in 1916. Richmond owned the hotel until his death in 1938, making him one of the longest-running owners in the building’s history.

During the 1940s and 1950s, the building was known at different times as the New Clinton Inn, Clintonian Hotel, and Clinton Hotel. Ownership passed through Ralph Halladay, Henry Cleary, and Gerald K. French. Historical records from the Cleary period note that rooms were redecorated, recarpeted, and refurnished.

In the 1960s, the building was converted into apartments under the name Clintonian Arms. Virgil C. Ludwig extensively remodeled the building into furnished efficiency apartments with compact kitchen units, updated plumbing, and updated wiring. Steve and Millie Sarvan later operated a restaurant in what records called the Clintonian Apartment Building.

In the 1980s, the building began shifting back toward hotel and hospitality use. Isam “Sam” Rabah restored the Oak Room Tavern, stripping plaster from the brick, restoring the hardwood floor, window frames, fireplace area, and oak bar. Don Limpert later purchased the building in 1986 and converted the second floor back into hotel rooms, expanded the kitchen, and opened a new dining room in the former storefront area. Historical notes also credit Limpert with installing the bullseye woodwork.

Mark and Laurie Pedersen purchased the building in 1991 and renamed it the Clinton Inn. They owned the building until 2019, making them the longest-standing owners to date at approximately 28 years. During that time, they lived in the building and raised their family in the basement level while operating the property.

The Huffaker Family Purchase in 2019

The Huffaker Family purchased The Clinton Inn on May 31, 2019. At the time of purchase, the building needed extensive repair and restoration. The first priority was to bring usable portions of the building back into service while creating a long-term plan for the hotel, event spaces, and historic preservation.

After purchasing the building, the best three guest rooms were renovated enough to be offered as nightly hotel rooms. Those rooms have continued to be improved over time, with plans to renovate additional rooms that are not currently usable.

In 2019, the former tavern or taproom space at the front of the building, facing Michigan Avenue and featuring the fireplace, was converted into a functional coffeehouse. The coffeehouse has been closed since the Covid period but is still used for private parties, with hopes to reopen it in the future.

In 2020, the smaller dining room, formerly known as the Red Room, was renovated into a small banquet room. This room now serves smaller parties, intimate gatherings, and wedding ceremonies.

In 2022, the restaurant was closed and the larger dining room was remodeled into the current ballroom. The renovation included restored original tin ceilings, chandeliers, and a more open layout for banquets, receptions, corporate events, weddings, and other private events.

Beginning in 2024, a major renovation of the common spaces began. This work includes removing old damaged wallpaper, repairing hallways, painting ceilings and walls, restoring original hardwood floors where possible, installing new lighting, and creating a cleaner, brighter, more timeless appearance while preserving the historic character of the building.

In 2026, a window replacement project began, focusing on old and failing windows, many believed to be original. Most of the ground-floor windows have been completed.

The long-term goal is to continue restoring The Clinton Inn as a historic destination in Southeast Michigan, with active hotel rooms, beautiful event spaces, and a renewed role as a centerpiece of downtown Clinton.