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Last week the Majestic Hotel, one of the oldest hotels in the downtown historic section of Hot Springs Arkansas, burned to the ground. I grew up in Hot Springs and have great memories of the Majestic. It was a beautiful hotel in it’s prime and was one of the oldest in Hot Springs.
It was actually closed in 2008 and I thought it was going to be remodeled and reopened for business but sadly, that never happened.
The Majestic was built in 1886 and was built right across from the famous Bath House Row. It was even reported to have been the hotel where Al Capone stayed when he came to town. Babe Ruth and lots of other baseball players were also known to frequent the Majestic.
The Majestic was also where the dance company I was a part of performed at each Christmas. I remember one time well…I was in tap that year and we did a dance to Silver Bells in the lobby of the Majestic. I remember being blown away by all of the Christmas decor and just the beauty of the hotel. I though it was magical. It’s sad to think it’s all gone now.
I have a thing for old hotels and buildings. It’s fun to see one taken care of through the years or even remodeled and then get to tour it. I think the Majestic could have been gorgeous if it had been taken care of properly. In 2012 a photographer went and took some pictures of the building and they are beautiful! Very sad, but beautiful. HERE they are if you want to see.
Sadly she went up in flames though. Hopefully something will be built there in her place and will be just as Majestic…see what I did there? HA!
I really do love history and especially the history of buildings and towns. Maybe I should have been a history major?
Wow, what a beautiful hotel. I also love historic buildings, and while they are so beautiful when they are abandoned, it’s really sad. That photographer took some incredible pictures. That’s really sad that it burned down!
I bet I walked past that hotel… I visited Hot Springs a LONG time ago. Such an awesome place to visit.. I would love to visit as an adult to get the true feeling of it.
It’s a shame it couldn’t be restored and saved. But you have your memories and that cute pic! :-)
I hate seeing beautiful old buildings destroyed. Thanks for sharing the pictures, history, and your tap dancing picture is adorable!
I loved Hot Springs! Until my exs family moved there LMAO!
Oh my goodness, so sad. It was a beautiful building!!
I hate when buildings with so much history and standing power are just wiped out like that. :(
I was so sad to see this bit of Arkansas history burn. I’m sure there were lots of treasures inside. I like old hotels, too. When I used to travel to NY for business every week I stayed at The Garden City Hotel – lovely old hotel and charming small town.