Austrian immigrant, Charles Steinbrecker designed the Maribel Caves Hotel. Charles died in 1892 before it could be built. His sons Father Francis Steinbecker and his brother Eugene, built the structure for the Maribel Caves Hotel in 1900. The "castle-like" style of the building is similar to those seen in Austria. Located near what is now County R (old 141) the hotel got its name from the nearby Maribel Limestone Caves. The structure is made of limestone from the area. Thirty masons, commissioned by Father Francis of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Kaukauna, completed the project in four months. The Steinbrecker family first ran the therapeutic "spa" where guests primarily clergy benefited from the effects of the mineral spring water. After several years of operation, a bottling plant was built next to the hotel.
Fine Maribel spring water was sold to fine hotels and restaurants in Milwaukee, Chicago, and other other cities. The hotel operated until the late 1920's. When Father Francis died in 1927, the hotel experienced a change in guests. These guests included bootleggers, mobsters and prostitutes.
The hotel was sold in a Sheriff's auction in the early 1930's and later operated as a tavern. In 1985, fire destroyed the inside of the structure. Only the stone walls remain. It was purchased with the intent to restore the structure. As of yet the restoration has not begun.
A Manitowoc Summer Resort From Manitowoc Co. Chronicle
August 22, 1893
For many years past the picturesque grottoes or caves in the great limestone ledge near the village of Cooperstown have attracted during the summer months hundreds of visitors who have envariably admired their natural beauty and the beauty of the scenery surrounding them. Besides the ragged limestone ledge, the grottoes and the moss covered rocks there is a limpid spring that gushes forth cool and crystal water that a recent analysis has proven to be as wholesome and as beneficial as the famous Waukesha spring. And close by there are dewy dingles and shady dells equaling in sylvan attractiveness any wooded retreat to be found in the state. Last spring the Steinbrecher brothers of Cooperstown purchased the property surrounding the caves and began improving the same by laying out paths, through the woods and by the construction of suitable building for the accomodation of guests. They have given to the spring and park which they are developing the name of "Mirabel"(sic). A hotel for summer resorts is to be erected in the near future. No more delightful place can be found in the state in which to spend the heated term. No doubt in time it will become a famous resort.
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There have been many stories over the years regarding the old building. Some believe that the building has burned three times, each time on the exact same date. Each time taking many lives with it. The building has only burned once in 1985.
There is a story that one of the guests in the hotel went psycho and killed the other guests. No police accounts on this have been found.
There is a story that during prohibition the building was owned by Al Capone and used as a hideout. It is said that he ran a moonshine business out of the hotel and the water bottling company next door. It was never owned by Al Capone, however, Maribel is midway between Chicago and Al Capone's hideout in Couderay,
WI. The bottling company would have made an excellent cover for a moonshine operation.
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