Fun Fact #80 Isn’t it fascinating to discover the unexpected paths people take in life? Today’s fun fact dives into the story of Mrs. J.T. McCready, the woman who ran the only official hotel of the 1905 Fair right here in Portland!
So, what surprising career journey led Mrs. McCready to become a hotelier for such a significant event? Was she a wordsmith, a culinary artist, a show business mogul, or something else entirely?
A) Poet B) Pickle Maker C) Restauranteur D) Impresario
The answer might just leave you in a bit of a pickle of surprise!
Answer: B) Pickle Maker/Relish Maker
That’s right! Before she was welcoming guests to her hotel, Mrs. J.T. McCready was renowned for her delicious pickles and preserves. Let’s dig into the fascinating story behind this unexpected transition:
A clipping below from an October 31, 1885 article reveals that Mrs. McCready opened a shop specializing in preserves, jellies, and, of course, her famous pickles. Her father was a politician in Buffalo, but her foray into the culinary world began more organically. She started “in business” by making preserves for a friend who was busy caring for a sick father. Her knack for creating amazing pickles quickly garnered attention and demand grew, leading her to open her own shop.
Fast forward to the Pan-American Exposition (World’s Fair) held in Buffalo, New York in 1901, and you’d find Mrs. McCready as a successful vendor. Her entrepreneurial spirit and proven ability to manage a business were exactly what fair organizers were looking for. Following the negativity surrounding President McKinley’s assassination at the Buffalo fair and lingering safety concerns from the horrific H.H. Holmes murders at the 1893 Chicago Fair, the need for strong and capable leadership with a women’s touch was paramount.
While Ellsworth Statler had successfully managed fair hotels in Buffalo and St. Louis, Portland had a different vision for their 1905 event. They wanted a woman at the helm, and Mrs. McCready’s track record as a successful entrepreneur, who had already navigated the complexities of a World’s Fair as a vendor, made her the perfect choice to take the reins of the official hotel. (To learn more about the hotel: American Inn Fun Fact #30.)
It’s a testament to Mrs. McCready’s adaptability and business acumen that she could transition from crafting delectable pickles to managing the accommodation needs of a major international event. Her story reminds us that sometimes the most unexpected paths can lead to remarkable achievements.
What do you think of Mrs. McCready’s journey? Did you see that answer coming? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
