Crescent Hotel-1886

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" background="380b85a3.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>History -- Eureka Springs</B></FONT><B>    </B><B> |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="History Eureka Springs"><B>home</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="first_light_of_history.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="First Light of History">First Light of History</A>   |   <B>Crescent Hotel-1886</B>   |   <A HREF="basin_park_hotel_1905.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Basin Park Hotel1905">Basin Park Hotel-1905</A>   |   <A HREF="other_extant_hotels.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Other Extant Hotels">Other Extant Hotels</A>   |   <A HREF="prior_hotels.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Prior Hotels">Prior Hotels</A>   |   <A HREF="bath_houses.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Bath Houses">Bath Houses</A>   |   <A HREF="saloons_bars_taverns.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Saloons Bars Taverns">Saloons Bars Taverns</A>   |   <A HREF="major_fires.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Major Fires">Major Fires</A>   |   <A HREF="buildings.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Buildings">Buildings</A>   |   <A HREF="tourist_courts__motels.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Tourist Courts Motels">Tourist Courts & Motels</A>   |   <A HREF="site_map.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Site Map">Site Map</A>   |   <A HREF="related_links.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Related Links">Related Links</A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" background="37fd2123.jpg"> <div> <A HREF="evolution_of_a_hotel.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Evolution of a Hotel">Evolution of a Hotel</A></div> <div> <A HREF="transitions.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Transitions">Transitions</A></div> <div> <A HREF="crescent_hotel__spa.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Crescent Hotel Spa">Crescent Hotel & Spa</A></div> <div> <A HREF="a_novelette.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="A Novelette">A Novelette</A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> A Continual </div> <div> Work </div> <div> In Process</div> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 width="100%" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I>Crescent Hotel-1886</I></div> <div> <A HREF="evolution_of_a_hotel.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Evolution of a Hotel">Evolution of a Hotel</A></div> <div> <A HREF="transitions.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Transitions">Transitions</A></div> <div> <A HREF="crescent_hotel__spa.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Crescent Hotel Spa">Crescent Hotel & Spa</A></div> <div> <A HREF="a_novelette.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="A Novelette">A Novelette</A></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="13a39560.jpg" border=0 width="569" height="598" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">     In 1881 there were thirteen buildings which where called hotels.  Most of these were of frame construction and the majority were little more than boarding houses.  </div> <div>      In 1884, the Eureka Improvement Company (EIC), in partnership with the Frisco Railroad, began to build the famous Crescent Hotel.  Considered as America’s most luxurious resort hotel of the time, the majestic inn opened among a midst of fan fair on May 20, 1886.  Notables from across the country attended its grand opening, which included a gala ball, complete with a full orchestra, and banquet dinner for 400 celebrants.</div> <div>      Offering large airy rooms with exquisite furnishings, a dining room that once seated more than 500 people, and outside amenities that included a swimming pool, tennis courts and croquet, among a beautiful landscape of flower gardens, winding boardwalks and gazebos, the opulence of the hotel was unmatched at the time.</div> <div>      Immediately, the well-to-do of the nation began to flock to the luxurious resort hotel as liveried footmen met them at the Frisco depot before transporting them to the inn.  Once there, the guest could not only enjoy the healing waters of the spa, but also a stable of 100 sleek-coated horses, tea dances in the afternoon, and elaborate parties every evening with a full in-house orchestra.</div> <div>      The Crescent Hotel changed hands numerous times throughout its existence, serving in various capacities and having suffered a tragic fire in the 1960’s.  Regardless, the “Grand Lady of The Ozarks,” as the hotel is affectionately called, has been fully restored to her original magnificence and continues to cater to travelers today.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="evolution_of_a_hotel.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Evolution of a Hotel"><B>Next  Page</B></A></div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>