Charles Roehl

Roehl Bros. advertisement, 1886

In 1883, Roehl left Texas and settled in Washington State. On December 31, 1883, as one of the pioneers of the locality, he came to Bellingham Bay, making plans to head to Tacoma, Washington next. However, Isaac Kalloch, an ex-mayor of San Francisco, persuaded him to stay in Whatcom (later Bellingham) instead.[8][3]

Roehl stayed on Bellingham Bay, acquiring a piece of land from the government and buying a lot on Elk street. Using his savings, he also built a house in Whatcom. After he was fully settled, Roehl invited his brother William to join him in business there.[1]

Together with his brother, Roehl purchased a stock of alcohol in San Francisco, and in 1884, they started their business as wholesale and retail merchants.[8][5] At the time, there was a plan for a railroad to go through Whatcom and connect to the Canadian line in Sumas, Washington. This plan spurred the town's rapid growth and businesses for six or seven months. Unfortunately, the Canadian government declined the connection between the railroad lines, leading to an economic depression in Whatcom. The Roehl brothers were forced to close their business, and left the city.[6]

During the depression in Whatcom, the brothers separated, and Charles moved to San Diego. He was joined there by his brother a year later. The Roehl brothers started investing their money into the growth of San Diego, but ended up losing their investments without benefit.[6]

In 1889, the Roehl brothers returned to Whatcom and restarted their business as wine, liquor, and cigar merchants, their specialty being "the best Kentucky whisky."[8][5][9]

From 1896 to 1900, the brothers owned a liquor house (at the time in Washington State, typically a point of wholesale for alcohol[10]) in the Lighthouse Block at the corner of Holly and Dock Streets. On June 1 that year, they sold it to the Capital Brewing Company. At the time, they were already in the process of establishing a new liquor house in the Byron House. Their new establishment consisted of a bar, billiard hall, and private card room; the whole property was 27 ft × 110 ft (8.2 m × 33.5 m).[9]

In 1902, U.S. and Canadian trade disagreements led to the enforcement of the tariff act of July 24, 1897. The new trade rulings resulted in confiscation of liquor shipments. Among others, one of Roehls' shipments, going from Victoria, British Columbia to Whatcom, was seized.[11] Later in 1902, the Roehl brothers retired from the liquor business.[8]

While working in merchandise, the brothers entered real estate business. During their career in the field, they owned, built, and rented property regarded as "some of the best" of that time. They took an active part in property purchase and sales, earning sizable profit.[6][12]

Among the Roehl brothers' dealings were two brick buildings on Holly Street that they rented out. On Dock Street, they erected a two-story brick building, sized 50 ft × 70 ft (15 m × 21 m), also for rental purposes. They owned a Knights of Pythias Building in Fairhaven, Washington and a vast array of residential property around Whatcom.[9]

One of their real estate deals was selling the Hotel Byron to businessmen Charles Wright and M. C. Dickinson. It was later renamed the Leopold Hotel, "one of the finest and most modern hotels" called.[13] In 1902, the Roehl brothers bought the Lighthouse Block, planning to convert the building into a hotel. However, it was decided to divide the existent theater space into two floors and place offices there. Steam heat and the first magnetic elevator in the city were installed in the building. The brothers owned the building for six years, and in 1908 sold it to the First National Bank of Bellingham.[14][15]

Roehl also participated in the city's social life. In 1899, he became a treasurer for the Fraternal Order of Eagles filial, named New Whatcom Eyrie No. 31.[4]