The American House 1857-1912
The City of Port Washington (formerly Washington City of Washington County) has a long
history of fine hotels. The Port Hotel finds its roots dating back to the very beginning of our
city when Martin F. Thomas and his wife Nancy purchased the land tract for $40.00.
 Immediately after the city was founded in 1835, a hotel and tavern were built and named
the American House. In its day, the American House, which entertained many a hungry man,
was a large frame building containing 20 rooms with adjoining horse stables. One of its early
operators was Sheriff Peter Malherbe and his wife Mary. In 1891 John G. and Anna Thill,
purchased the American House. It continued in business until it was torn down by John F.
Thill, John and Anna’s oldest son, who built a new hotel with 40 rooms on the same site in
1902, called Thill’s Hotel. The date of construction corresponds with the dedication of the
new Ozaukee County Court House that same year.
The Mayer Hotel 1912-1973
Peter D. Mayer and his wife Katie took over in 1912 and renamed the hotel, the Mayer
Hotel. The Mayer family operated the hotel for almost 50 years. The hotel was considered modern, with steam heat and electric lights, and offered first class accommodations for
the traveler.
In 1960 John and Marcie Hornslein took over as the proprietors using the same business
name. As recent as 1962 the Mayer Hotel had rooms for rent ranging from $3.00 to $7.00 for
a single room or $10.00 for a double room. In addition, rooms were available for $20.00 per
week. The Devine Family ran the Hotel until it closed in 1973.
 The Port Hotel
In 1973 Lowell and Donald Levy, local attorneys, purchased the hotel and thus began a
new era. In that year Dave and Debbie Wickesberg opened The Port Hotel Restaurant and
operated it until the spring of 1997. Although the hotel portion of the facility closed in the
early 1980’s, the restaurant has remained a historic landmark.
In the summer of 2005, the Port Hotel returned to its 100-year-old roots of traditional
inn-keeping. Newly renovated but graced with old world charm, the Port Hotel Inn opened
with ten luxuriously appointed guest rooms.
Today the Port Hotel Restaurant and Inn remains a popular destination for boaters,
tourists, and local residents. The restaurant has been named Ozaukee County’s Best Steak
House and Best Special Occasion Restaurant. More recently, The Port Hotel received a “3 Star”
rating from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Dennis Ghetto.
The Port Hotel Restaurant and Inn remains a family run business, and, together with our
staff, we strive to provide our guests with memories that will last a lifetime. We think John
and Anna Thill would have liked it that way.
Your Hosts,
Joseph and Susan Zankl |
