Built in 1924 by State Senator and Clare Mayor Alfred J. (A.J.) Doherty, the Doherty Hotel stands as a landmark at the crossroads of US-10 and US-127. It replaced the burned Hotel Calkins, opening with modern amenities like an Otis elevator and running water. It remains family-operated today.

1924: The four-story brick hotel officially opens with 60 rooms, built for over $60,000 to boost local tourism.

1930: Ten one-story tourist cabins are added next to the hotel.

1930s: A traveling artist paints a whimsical, wall-wrapping leprechaun mural in exchange for room and board, creating the famous Leprechaun Lounge.

1938: Infamous Detroit Purple Gang associate Isaiah Leebove is shot and killed by his business partner in the hotel taproom.