Trenton House Hotel, 20-24 North Warren Street & 1-19 East Hanover Street, Trenton, Mercer County, NJ

Significance: The Trenton House was one of Trenton's most famous and prestigious hotels in the 19th century, serving politicians in town for the work of the state legislature and travelers who arrive at the nearby railroad station. Transformed to a hotel from a Gerogian-style residence in 1824, the Marquis de Lafayette stayed here during his American tour of that year. In 1861, President-elect Abraham Lincoln was a guest at the Trenton House while traveling to his first inauguration. Lincoln was given a reception here, and he addressed crowds of citizens from the hotel balcony. The hotel was a gathering place for many other politicians during the 19th century, and the legend of the Trenton House's "Room 100", where deals were made and political careers won or lost. The hotel was noted for the high quality of its rooms, service, and food. Additions and alterations to the hotel were made every few years in the latter 19th century to keep it up-to-date. The dining rooms and restaurants on the first floor continued to attract customers at the turn of the century, even as the hotel itself began to decline in the face of competition from newer establishments. The Trenton House kept its name for little over a century, but a 1927 change of ownership made it the Milner Hotel. The Depression years were hard on the business, and in 1941, the once-grand ground-floor spaces- the lobby, the billiard hall, and dining rooms were destroyed as the interior was carved up into fourteen small shops. Gradually, the upper floors of the building were abandoned, and by the 1970s, the old hotel was derelict. The importance and popularity of the 19th century hotel was remember in popular reference to the building as the Trenton House up to the day of its demolition.
Survey number: HABS NJ-960
Building/structure dates: 1780 Initial Construction
Building/structure dates: 1824 Subsequent Work
Building/structure dates: 1862 Subsequent Work
Building/structure dates: 1941 Subsequent Work
Building/structure dates: 1987 Demolished