Glimpse of History - Local History Department

Blizzard Can’t Obscure Historic Hotel, 1888.
January 1, 2012

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This photo shows West Front Street after the blizzard of 1888, with snowdrifts, a man on horseback, and a pedestrian. The white building on the left is Laing's Hotel. One of the early inns of Plainfield, Laing's was built in 1828 and was billed as a first class family resort. In 1890, the hotel was put up for sale, but had no buyers. In 1892, the hotel, its contents, and the attached livery stable were sold at auction; items sold included bedroom suites, carpets, dining-room furniture, parlor suites, and bar room fixtures, including billiard and pool tables). Laing’s was then torn down to make way for a multi-use Babcock Building.

The five-story building was constructed at 240 West Front Street (corner of Madison Avenue) in 1894, and had retail space, offices, and apartments. Fraternal organizations also kept space in the building. At various times it housed the Chamber of Commerce and the DuCret Art School.

Fire destroyed the structure on March 6, 1902 in what was then considered the worst fire in Plainfield history. The building was rebuilt and expanded after an insurance settlement was announced in the summer of 1902. The structure was damaged by fire December 5, 1969 and again August 6, 1970, after which it was demolished. A McDonald's restaurant now sits on the property.

According to a 1970 Courier News article, "it was a rare Plainfielder who never set foot inside the Babcock Building in its early years, because it was used for lodge halls, music studios, stores, offices and the post office at one time or another."

Photo ID: T2061 - Part of the Guillermo Thorn Photograph Collection.

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