The Cleveland Cliffs Iron Mining Company (CCI) built the Mather Inn in 1932 and named the building in honor of company president, William G. Mather. James H. Ritchie designed the Inn in the Georgian Revival architectural style. The Mather Inn Preservation Society formed in 1984, following the bankruptcy of the Ishpeming Hotel Company that owned the Mather Inn. At the same time, a separate citizens group formed the Mather Inn, Inc., as a vehicle to raise money to purchase the Inn from the Ishpeming Hotel Company. The Society and the Mather Inn, Inc., hired a consultant to develop a business model, and they petitioned government agencies for grants, loans, and tax breaks. Both organizations also held numerous fundraisers and circulated petitions calling upon government officials to intervene on behalf of the Inn.
From the description of Mather Inn Preservation Society records 1984-1987 (Olson Library, Northern Michigan University). WorldCat record id: 65517105
