Office space included the headquarters and eastern terminus of the Pony Express, founded in 1860 to provide fast overland mail service to the West Coast.

During the American Civil War, the Union Army Provost Marshal's office was located in Patee House.

These private schools were part of the postwar expansion of educational facilities for young women across the country.

After outlaw Jesse James was killed in 1882 at his nearby home, his surviving family stayed at the hotel during the investigation of his death.

Also resident at the hotel within two weeks of James's death was Oscar Wilde who lectured in St. Joseph on April 18, 1882.