Isaacson Building
a.k.a. Greer Hotel
37 Commercial St., St. Johns, AZThe Isaacson Building is historically significant for its association with Mormon pioneer and St. Johns businessman, Isaac Isaacson. Isaacson was born in Ephraim, Utah in 1859. In 1876, during the Mormon colonization of Arizona, he emigrated to Brigham City, a colony sited on the Little Colorado River north of present-day Winslow.
While at Brigham City, he began his entrepreneurial pursuits, hauling lumber from the colony sawmill to other settlements, contracting to construct portions of the AtlanticPacific Railroad across northern Arizona, and cutting hay.
After Brigham City failed, he moved to an area north of St. Johns known as "The Meadows" and was married in 1882. While in this location, he constructed a dam and raised grain and alfalfa which he marketed at various locations in the region. He also raised cattle and became involved in the region's extensive cattle business.
At the turn of the century, he moved his family to St. Johns where he continued his business interests and branched into politics. He served as County Supervisor for six years, County Treasurer for two, and was Road Superintendent for several years.
In addition to stone quarrying and freighting, he began a sawmill business (at one time he had four sawmills in operation) which continued until his death in 1944.
During this period, he provided the stone and lumber for the construction of his building on Commercial Street. The local newspaper recorded the event: "Workmen have about finished the excavation work for the new building to be put up by Isaac Isaacson, Sr., one of our local capitalists whose faith in the future of St. Johns remains fixed and firm. ... Mr. Isaacson is uncertain as to what this building will be used for when finished."
Later newspaper reports revealed that a restaurant was operated on the first floor, and the second-floor rooms were furnished for renters.
In 1924 ownership was transferred to one of his twelve children, Natalia Greer, who operated the building as a hotel until ca. 1978. Ownership was transferred to her son, Gilbert Greer, II, and in 1980 to Valera Goesling, the present owner.
The Isaacson Building, constructed of materials cut and hauled by Isaac Isaacson, Sr., embodies the significance of his role in the historic development of St. Johns and Apache County, Arizona.
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1983.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.