WHS Alumni Center

With the reunion just a week away we thought it would be interesting to show some pictures and pass on a little history of the WHS Alumni Center. As shown here the building at that location has changed appearances greatly over the years. We don't have pictures of The American House that stood at that site in 1891 but in 1903 it was extensively remodeled and renamed the Metropole. With Wellsville's main train station just a couple of doors away we're guessing it was an ideal spot for a hotel. Before the rail line was relocated along the river it was a very busy location for river boat traffic.

In 1927 a fire nearly destroyed the Hotel Metropole. On the day the fire erupted City officials got a first hand demonstration of a new pumper fire truck that a salesman was trying to get them to buy. It was a 1927 Seagraves that is now on display at the Historical Society's River Museum. With the truck being available they were able to save the lower floors of the hotel pumping water from the river.

In 1935 the hotel was bought by Mr. Frederick Wilk and renamed the Riverview Hotel. After Mr. Wilk's death his widow transferred ownership to Rudy Wilk and his sister Marg Phillips. The Wilk siblings operated the hotel until the late 1950s or early 1960s before closing.

After being closed for awhile the building was bought and became the SOI Club. Following that it became the El Toro night club, then the Brick House and finally Monte's Supper Club.

Following another fire in March of 1974 the building sat idle for nearly two decades. The fire in 1974 destroyed the third floor and roof. The fire damaged building was purchased in 1991 by the WHS Alumni Activities Committee and the rest is history. After various energetic fund raising activities the old hotel was once again extensively remodeled with a new roof put on. Today it sits proudly as your Wellsville High School Alumni Headquarters.

This information was originally in a past Reunion pamphlet. Thanks to Linda C & Kenny Delauder for passing it on.

As they say in the ville, look forward to seeing yuens...

ole nib