Broadview Hotel

PLAY AUDIO

In 1921, George Siedhoff leased part of the land owned by the Arkansas Valley Interurban Railway Company and built the Hotel Broadview for $400,000. During Prohibition, the basement of the hotel was a speakeasy where those in the know could access illegal liquor. A north wing was added in 1929, and the Crystal Ballroom added in 1948. The ballroom has a large mural by local artist Blackbear Bosin. Swipe to see two of the panels, made of glass tiles sourced from New Mexico.

The hotel has changed hands over the years, and was most recently purchased by the Drury Hotels. The building was extensively renovated in 2011 and is now known as the Drury Plaza Hotel Broadview. The current AVI Seabar and Chophouse restaurant in the hotel is named after the former Arkansas Valley Interurban Railroad depot’s large dining room, which was originally located nearby. The AVI line served Wichita, Newton, and Hutchinson prior to WWII.

(If you are ENDING your downtown tour here, please cross the street to begin the Delano tour.)