The Kolhmann’s later purchased additional land and eventually owned
250 acres bounded by Arcade Street, Highway 61, LaBore Road and County
Road C. This was enough acreage around Fitzhugh Lake to change its name
to Kohlmann Lake. Later, the name of the lake and the family was changed
to Kohlman, dropping the extra letter “n.”
The Kohlman Hotel
became a popular resort in the 1880’s and the 1890’s with hunters,
fishermen, health-seekers and those looking for a cool, lakeside
vacation. Occasionally there was negative commentary and rumors
referring to the hotel as “Sin City,” alluding to other reasons for
staying at the hotel. Many of St. Paul’s residents would rent a horse
and buggy, ride a bicycle, take the streetcar to Lake Phalen or walk to
the hotel for an afternoon.
The hotel was a family business
with William’s four sons and three daughters running all aspects of the
hotel business. William Kohlman died in 1913 and his sons William Jr.
and Louis kept the business going until the hotel was destroyed by fire
in 1930. Today, the buildings are gone and the area is residential.