The Battle Creek House was built in 1836 by Leonard Starkweather, and served as the first framed hotel in the village of Battle Creek. The building would stand 30 years in the central heart of the village, and serve as a gathering place for all social activities. Starkweather remained owner of the hotel, although several different men served as managers over the years. The hotel would burn to the ground in 1866.
In 1857, Leonard Starkweather had his namesake of one of a successful pioneer, change to one connected with a brutal tragedy when he murdered his wife in December of that year. The story of this magnificent hotel and the shadow of this tragedy is the subject of this episode.
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