The Pfister: McKinley's Western White House in Milwaukee

Milwaukee's grandest hotel has a presidential guest list that stretches back to the nineteenth century, and two of its stories helped shape American politics.

The Pfister Hotel

Guido Pfister and his son Charles opened the Pfister in 1893 as the "Grand Hotel of the West," a Romanesque Revival landmark with groundbreaking fireproofing, electricity, and thermostats in every room. In 1899, President William McKinley arrived with his cabinet, and his stay earned the hotel the nickname "Western White House." Every president since McKinley has stayed at the Pfister at some point in his life, whether before, during, or after his time in office.

On April 5, 1960, John F. Kennedy made the Pfister his headquarters for the Wisconsin primary. His win over Hubert Humphrey that night is widely seen as the start of the momentum that carried him to the presidency.

The AAA Four Diamond hotel has been renovated in recent years and still delights with its grand lobby, its celebrated collection of Victorian art, and an Artist-in-Residence program that keeps the hotel creatively alive.

Plan your stay: Explore more hotels in Milwaukee

---

About this guide: Presidential connections are drawn from public sources, including official White House schedules, presidential and historical archives, and reputable news outlets, as well as the hotels' own published histories. Hotel names, ownership, and amenities may have changed since publication. This information is provided for general interest, is not guaranteed, and should be independently verified. Hotelaholic is not affiliated with or endorsed by any U.S. president or government agency.