The book update so far is that I am still stuck in 1929 with reading through the newspapers. I have found, I hope, the nearest living relatives of the very first manager of the hotel (J.W. Chappell) and have sent two of them registered letters requesting more information on the grandparents and hopefully pictures too. I have already sent out emails to the current living relatives that I could find for Blanche Brown Chandler family but never received a reply back from them. I will try them again with a letter this time. That will take more time waiting for a reply. Then I have about 10 more manager’s relatives to track down for pictures and stories to complete that section of the book. Thankfully, I have a great friend at the Lake City Historical Museum who has located one or two pictures of the third manager, D. W. Whetstone probably because his family settled Mikesville. Cannot wait to delve into that one either.
Brief Outline for History Book
So, far I have established a sketchy outline for the non-fiction book.
1. A brief history of the Building (1902 to 1962)
2. Biographies of David W. Brown and His Daughter Blanche Brown Chandler (the building’s namesake)
3. Biographies of Each of the Managers (1902 to 1955)
4. Businesses at the Blanche Over the Years (1902 to 1962)
5. Guests Through the Years (Really would be great to find some of the Guest Registries)
6. Employees and some of their stories through the years
7. Parties, Events, And Other Great Happenings
Now all this research has inspired me to create some fiction stories as well. I have about 20 chapters already typed up of a thrilling adventure/mystery series starring two widows traveling around on the train solving crimes, enjoying the scenery, and enlisting the help of a local girl who works at the hotel. There is a murder, secrets, and mayhem happening all peppered with real events and people who lived and worked in Lake City during the first year that the hotel was opened. I am still deciding if I want to use a pen name for the fiction series or just stick to my real name. That’s up for debate as is the color of the first book over. Watch the video below to see the samples I have so for and let us know what you think either in the comments below, on the video comments, or send us an email using our CONTACT form.
We hope you will get inspired to share your own stories and adventures at the Blanche Hotel over the years. I still have office hours inside the Blanche Monday to Thursday from 10:00 am to around 5:00 pm and sometimes on Fridays if needed. Please check out my Calendar on my business page to make an appointment and bring along your photographs we will be happy to scan them in and give you back the originals. As always anyone who helps us out with information, pictures, videos, or documents will be mentioned in the book.
