Stadshotellet was founded in 1899, in the house of the Fontell family by the main street of Jakobstad, Kanalesplanaden. The property had been raised in 1804 by Dr. Kurtén, and was later owned by sea captain S.W. Fontell, thereby the name. The Runeberg family, whose son Johan Ludvig later was to become the national poet of Finland, resided the house during the years between 1810 and 1812.
Stadshotellet was first restored by Emil Höglund, who built an additional three-storey building along Kanalesplanaden. The building, which contained a large art noveau restaurant and a dining area, was designed by architect Wanter Thomé. Since then, it has been modernized and rebuilt to add an additional level to it. During the 1930's the construction continued, and the hotel got a new, modern, functional styled interior.
The town lived through an economic upswing in the late 1940's, which increased the need to expand the hotel offering. This time, the construction ran along Alholmsgatan in the lead of K.J. Ahlskog. The hotel got a modern entrance and reception facing Alholmsgatan. The hotel was owned for a long time by a company run by the biggest industries in town, and it was during the 1950's and the 1960's that the hotel lived its golden years.
The old part of the hotel, the former house of the Fontell family, was demolished in the mid 80's under dramatic circumstances, which lead to correspondence throughout the entire country. The demolished part was replaced by a frontage similar to the old one, but with a modern interior.
Today, Stadshotellet in Jakobstad is the oldest hotel in Finland to still carry the name Stadshotell.
Guy Björklund
Jakobstad March 7, 2008
