The Hotel's Downfall And Decay

In the 1920’s, a new hotel, the Nathan Hale Hotel, was built within just a few feet from the doorstep of the Hotel Hooker. This most certainly added a layer of contention and competition. As lodging options in Willimantic and the area expanded, the Hooker’s initially massive revenue continued to plummet. With the economic decline of town in the second half of the 20th century, the hotel’s prominence faded, and its financial viability crumbled just like its once beautiful façade. The building fell into disrepair and disrepute, when its rooms became rentals for local drug addicts and sex workers. In 2002, Hotel Hooker was featured in a series of articles in Hartford Courant on Willimantic’s drug economy, and a “60 Minutes” segment that followed it. Willimantic found itself defined by the social problems and its image reduced to the hurtful name “Heroin Town.”  The hotel closed in 2009.