O.L. Rapson

Who is O.L. Rapson?

Oscar Luscher Rapson was an American farmhand, hotel manager and store owner. Rapson is best known for being the first manager of the Grand Rapids Hotel, which was the first major resort on the Wabash River.

Rapson was born in Danville, Illinois, but both of his parents died within a few years of his birth. Rapson and a few of his siblings were raised by their aunt and uncle in Mount Carmel, Illinois. In his early years, Rapson worked in many low-paying jobs until finally finding a job working on Frederick Hinde Zimmerman's farm. Initially, Rapson was a general farmhand, but after a period of time became the first manager of the Grand Rapids Hotel.

During his tenure as manager of the hotel, Rapson orchestrated many national events and helped the area surrounding the hotel to experience economic growth and notability during his stewardship through an increase in tourism and business at the hotel. While manager at the hotel, Rapson oversaw the creation of a country club and golf course as well as numerous other outdoor recreation facilities including trap shooting facilities, boat tours, hiking trails, surf boat rides, and many others. Additionally, the hotel's restaurant was opened while Rapson was manager and proved to be very successful in attracting organizations and clubs to the hotel. In 1924, shortly after the unexpected death of Frederick Hinde Zimmerman, Rapson was fired and Glenn Goodart replaced him as manager of the hotel.