Delve into the history of a building constructed in the Roaring Twenties in a new book written by a local 93-year-old woman.

Mariam Cheshire’s “Stories about the Hotel Westward Ho” shares entertaining tidbits about the former luxurious hotel, located at 618 N. Central Ave. The hotel was built in the late 1920s and now serves as a retirement community for low-income elderly and handicapped residents. Cheshire lived in the senior living community for 12 years, a time period where she fell in love with a man at age 75. Now she lives in another area downtown.

Cheshire reveals the glory days of the 1930s, ‘40s and ‘50s, when conventions, trade shows and political rallies were held in the hotel. The actor Jackie Gleason, former President John F. Kennedy, former President Harry S. Truman, aviation pioneer and author Amelia Earhart, singer, actor and TV host Roy Rogers and U.S. Sen. Barry Goldwater, all were guests at the hotel.

All royalties from the sales of the book will go to the Dr. Fred Cheshire Memorial Scholarship, which awards money to Glendale Community College students.

 

 

 

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