Aristocrats from the South were attracted to the Hotel Victory as a place to escape the heat and humidity.
Photo courtesy of Lake Erie Islands Historical Society
Hotel Victory in its heyday on South Bass Island.
Photo courtesy of Lake Erie Islands Historical Society
The Hotel Victory had three dining rooms that could seat 2,000 guests and served gourmet meals.
Photo courtesy of Lake Erie Islands Historical Society
The pool on the grounds of the Hotel Victory was the firs coed swimming facility in the United States.
Photo courtesy of Lake Erie Islands Historical Society
The massive fire that consumed the wooden structure in August of 1919 was visible as far away as Detroit.
Photo courtesy of Lake Erie Islands Historical Society
The hotel, completed in 1896, changed hands several times and struggled financially. Legend has it the fire was likely intentionally started to bail out investors.
Photo courtesy of Lake Erie Islands Historical Society
Ruins of the Hotel Victory on South Bass Island.
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Decorative pillars surrounded the bronze statue of Winged Victory in the hotel courtyard.
Photo courtesy of Lake Erie Islands Historical Society
Aging stone columns are among the few remnants of the original hotel property that are now part of South Bass Island State Park.
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One of the few visible remains of the Hotel Victory structure is the swimming pool.
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The site of the Hotel Victory is now South Bass Island State Park which welcomes campers. The campground has 125 non electric campsites and 10 full-service sites.
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The Hotel Victory swimming pool.
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Nature has reclaimed the 33 acre site which was once occupied by the Hotel Victory.
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The former Hotel Victory pool at South Bass Island State Park.
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