This building is one of the larger brick structures in South Amana. Constructed from brick, as is common in South, the main structure was started in 1860. Additions were added around 1868.
I find it somewhat ironic that a closed, utopian-type society would have a hotel in it. Especially considering the fear of influence from the "outside" world that most of the community members had. It was the fact that South Amana had the two hotels (one in upper South Amana too!) servicing two different railroads that made it more susceptible to "worldly" influence. South Amana was to become a vital communal link to other towns and cities after the change in '32. I guess everthing has it's disadvantages and advantages depending on the point of view!
This buidling was a communal kitchen at one time. This use was not long lived. Its primary purpose was as a hotel that served the many people using the Rock Island Railroad. It also served people transfering from the Milwaukee Railroad in Upper South. The hotel was located on the west portion of this building. The managers lived in the east portion. It was run by Godfried and Lizzie Siegel a large portion of it's operational period. The Upper South hotel was run by Lizzie's sister. One could say they had a monopoly on the hotel system in the Amanas :) Shuttles were run between the two railroads and hotels. This consisted of a horse-and -buggy rig. One source stated that it was a rather "ritzy" carriage. Not at all what would be called "traditional" Amana style. This buggy system was later replaced by a motorized bus. The hotel was in operation well into the late 1930s. After that, it became a private residence. It is still standing.
This building also had the largest chickenhouse associated with it. The chickenhouse is located across the street next to the horse barn.