In 1895, prominent businessman William D. Rider broke ground for the half-million-dollar hotel and resort known as Hotel Rider. It opened on May 1, 1897 and was said to have been one of the finest hotels between New York City and Chicago and the greatest single contribution toward making Cambridge Springs a major mineral springs spa. Standing seven stories high overlooking Cambridge Springs, it offered views of at least 25 miles from the roof garden. Its grand lobby could accommodate 1,000 guests and featured steam heat, wood-burning fireplaces, stenciled plaster walls, and oak woodwork. The hotel also included bowling alleys, billiard rooms, a barbershop, ballroom, theatre, indoor swimming pool, gyms for men and ladies, and offices for the Postal Telegraph Co. and Bell Telephone Co. In 1904, it hosted an international chess tournament, and Hotel Rider was destroyed by fire on Jan. 20, 1931.