Signs of the Times: Nantucket Signs Exhibition of the Nantucket Historical Association

Easton Street
1936 to 1972

Built by Charles F. Folger in 1890–91, the Point Breeze Hotel (1890–1933) was purchased in 1936 by his grandson, Gordon M. Folger Jr., who renamed it for himself. The Gonnella family bought the Gordon Folger in 1997 and restored its original name; live music and cocktails on the porch made it a popular spot. Under new ownership in 2005, the hotel is currently undergoing major renovation.

In August 1925, a fire almost destroyed the Point Breeze. Florence Clifford recalls the night of the fire: “We could see the flames from our house on Main Street. My father was in the volunteer fire company, and he had to run to the Fire Hose-Cart House on Gardner Street to get the hose-cart, and then on to the hotel. I remember my mother had us immediately busy making up beds for the people to stay the night.”