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| 1929 letter describes early hotels (Part 2) |
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| EDITORS NOTE: This is the second in a two-part news story on early hotels in Harrison. The first installment was published Friday, April 1. |
| While searching through some files, I happened to discover an article written by Lulu V. Scott dated September 1929. Her reminiscences of early hotels coincided with the grand opening of the Seville Hotel that year, so I wanted to share with you her story of early hotels. |
| "The introduction of Harrison to a hotel of the truly metropolitan class in the opening of Hotel Seville calls vividly to mind some of the hotels that have served us in the past about which clings pleasant memories. Many of our former hotel men have helped in building a foundation for our present splendid little city. |
| "According to my father, the late George J. Crump, the first hotel ever operated in Harrison was owned and maintained by J. O. Nicholson. The house still stands on a site due west of the old Stiffler spring on South Spring Street. It was known as the Nicholson House. A house just north of it was used during the Reconstruction days as a courthouse. This building has long since disappeared. |
| "Ves Spear opened a hotel in the Hopper building on the east side during the early 1890s. It burned after a year or two and was replaced by the Johnson building. |
| "The Southern Hotel, on the southwest corner, catered to the traveling public for a few years. The Planters was established during the same period and enjoyed a share of the trade for a long time. It burned a few years ago. Part of it has been rebuilt as an apartment. |
| "The Riverside, on the banks of old Crooked Creek, was popular for several years. It was here where W. M. Connerley, who later established the Connerley Hotel on North Vine, got his start. The Riverside, after being threatened many times by the angry waters, also burned a few years ago. |
| "The Connerley became next-to-famous, on account of the reputation of Mr. Connerley as a host. He found it necessary to make several additions to accommodate the trade. Following his death in 1920, the house was leased, and in a few months went up in smoke. The beautiful new Baptist Church now stands on the site of the once popular Connerley Hotel. |
| "The Midway Hotel, which has made several worthy strides in the endeavor to meet our hotel needs, was first built as a business house, but the coming of the railroad suggested its adaptability as a hotel. For several years it had been the leading hotel, and its present manager, Mr. Staley, is a good hotel man and very popular. |
| "But there is a pressing demand for bigger and better hotel facilities here, and this has been answered by the erection of the Seville - the name and architecture savoring of sunny Spain, and we bespeak for it a prosperous future in our fast-growing little city." |
| Please remember that Lulu V. Scott wrote this in 1929. So many buildings - not just the hotels - have disappeared, but some records and pictures still exist, bringing to mind the bygone days of downtown hotels. |
| The Boone County Heritage Museum strives to preserve the history of our county. We invite you to share stories and pictures for future generations to enjoy. The museum, housed in the 1912 Harrison High School building, is located on the corner of South Cherry Street and Central Avenue. Hours are from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. |
| This column appears Fridays in the Harrison Daily Times. Mail questions to Boone County Heritage Museum, P. O. Box 1094, Harrison, AR 72601. Marilyn Smith can be contacted at bchm@windstream.net |
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