The Argo's story starts when builder Nick Michaelis attended a Crofton town board meeting to inquire whether city leaders thought Crofton needed another lodging option. Crofton already had one called the Castle Hotel. City leaders thought there should be another hotel for the busy railroad town and gave Michaelis the go-ahead, volunteering to furnish the water and sewer systems. By March of 1912, Michaelis completed the two story rectangular building.
The Argo was advertised as "a modern hotel with electricity." Many buildings didn't have electricity back then so this was somewhat of a big deal. According to previous owner Sandra McDonald, it cost $1.00 for one night lodging at the Argo. Often times people had to sleep on the floor because the rooms were full.