Et cetera : Back in Time: Ralyea = Hotel

Editor's Note: In this brief article from the "History of Benton County Vol. 1" we find out that "Ralyea" Stands For "Hotel."For nearly half a century the name "Ralyea" has been associated in the minds of Vintonites with the hotel business. The pioneer of the family, L. Ralyea lived in his native state of New York for twenty-five years, engaged in the dairy and railroad business.
In 1854, he became a resident of Vinton, and for a number of years engaged in buying and shipping grain, produce and game. In 1862 he founded the Tremont House, which had been a livery business for a number of years, and in 1874 built the Raylea House, then the largest and most complete hotel in Benton County. The Ralyea House is still run as a first-class hotel by the son, Frank R., who is now a middle-aged man.
---Editor's Note: As always if you have any Benton County questions, feel free to leave them in a comment below and our sleuths will see what they can find out for you!