Opened in August 1894, the Northwestern Hotel provided year-round services to travelers and train crews. The building later became a boarding house, cigar store, soft drink shop, and tavern. On January 6, 1948, George and Ralph Polfuss, Les Paul's father and brother, opened Club 400 after major renovations turned it into a nightclub. It was named for the Chicago Northwestern train "400," which stopped across the street at the depot. Les Paul and Mary Ford played their guitars together for the first time at the grand opening. George Polfuss had owned a grocery store in 1903 three doors west of Club 400. Club 400 has been on the National Register of Historical Places since 1995.