Journey To The Top Of The Kahler Grand Hotel In Rochester, MN

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When I started my week, I honestly had no idea that I would end up at the top of a 100+ year-old building in downtown Rochester, Minnesota to witness a historical moment.

The Day Downtown Rochester, Minnesota Saw the Light of an Iconic Sign Again

When someone asks, "Do you want to see one of the original letters on the Kahler Grand Hotel sign?", you have to jump at that chance! I'm normally sitting in a studio talking in a microphone so sneaking away on Wednesday to stand next to a historical item that has witnessed numerous changes throughout the years was a pretty awesome lunch break. I'm pretty tall but the massive letter "K" that was part of the sign on top of the Kahler Grand Hotel less than a year ago was towering over me!

Jessica Williams

Honored is just one of the words that I have to describe the experience that I had with the staff at The Kahler Grand Hotel that day. I'll have more about that visit and the historical items that I photographed soon, including a fun way for you to view these as well. Follow my Facebook page - Jessica On The Radio - so you don't miss it. The big moment of the day though was just a few hours later. Ahhh!

I was going on the roof of the Kahler Grand Hotel to witness the sign turning on again to shine bright in our skyline.

Journey to the Roof of the Kahler Grand Hotel to See The Sign Turn On

All day I had this nervous feeling because heights and I don't get along very well. A few years ago I was at the top of the Plummer Building and I felt like I was going to throw up as I was standing next to the gargoyles. I was hoping that the butterflies in my stomach on that trip wouldn't reappear but I really wasn't sure what to expect. Those of us who were a tad bit nervous grabbed a glass of water (which was very tasty, btw!) as we waited in a group. Before I knew it, we were at the top of the Kahler Grand Hotel standing near the sign.

Iconic Kahler Grand Hotel Sign Comes Back to Life

On Wednesday, December 6th, 2023 at 5:00 pm, the lights turned on and illuminated the iconic Kahler Grand Hotel sign. Sadly, after years of shining in the elements, the previous sign was unable to be repaired. With the help of LaCrosse Sign Co. and Building Restoration Corporation, a new sign was created.

Gallery Credit: Jessica On The Radio

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The land of 10,000 lakes may turn into a mosquito-filled sauna during the summer months, and we may question our choice to live here when it gets to 60 below, but below are a few amazing reasons to be thankful for the state of Minnesota.

Gallery Credit: Jessica On The Radio