[2] Walter Schroeder was a Milwaukee businessman who inherited his father's insurance, mortgage, and bond business in 1897.

From the kitchen and baggage room to the beautiful Crystal ballroom, the new Loraine is sumptuously furnished and well appointed in every particular.

The structure is patterned along the lines of the Northland in Green Bay, Wisc., and the Retlaw in Fond du Lac, Wisc.

For years conventions have shunned the beautiful Four Lakes city while festivities at the University of Wisconsin have had to be put up at homes, members of the legislature have had to room about the city in private residences and distinguished visitors have been subject to discomfiture because of lack of hotel facilities.

On the street side the first two stories are clad in buff-colored terra cotta tiles, with bays separated by pilasters with copper wall sconces.

Inside the first two floors were public spaces: the foyer, registration area, cigar counter, the lobby, kitchen, and the two-story Crystal Ballroom where large social functions were held.

For 45 years after the Loraine was Madison's largest hotel and hosted many of the city's biggest events.

Over the years its guests include Gloria Swanson, Mae West, Ethel Barrymore, Harry S. Truman and John F.