Hotel Marks 120 Years As Berlin’s Centerpiece; Friday Benefit To Honor Original Founders

 

BERLIN – Boarded up windows. Vacant storefronts. Empty sidewalks.

Berlin in the 1970s could have been any struggling small town in America. Business was slow. Many buildings were run-down. And at the center of it all was the Atlantic Hotel. The 19th Century landmark appeared, like the rest of the town, to be headed for obscurity.

In the ensuing decade, the foresight of 10 local families changed all that. The group of like-minded citizens decided to pool their resources and purchase the aging hotel. The revitalization that came next triggered a complete renaissance in Berlin.

“There is no doubt, whatsoever, in my mind that the renewal and pride that is now central to the Town of Berlin’s identity today is a direct result of the restoration of the Atlantic Hotel,” Berlin Mayor Gee Williams said. “The inspiration provided by those visionary investors in the 1980s was the catalyst for so many other property owners to join in an ongoing effort of renewal that we continue to enjoy throughout our community.”

Today, the stalwart hotel at the center of Berlin celebrates its 120th anniversary. The historic inn looks much as it did in 1895.

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