Battle House Hotel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Battle House Royale
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View from the east on Royal Street in 2008
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 Location in Alabama
Location in the United States
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| Location | 26 N. Royal St., Mobile, Alabama |
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| Area | 0.7 acres (0.28 ha) |
| Built | 1906–08 |
| Architect | F. M. Andrews and Co. |
| Architectural style | Georgian Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 75000322 |
| Added to NRHP | August 19, 1975 |
The Battle House Hotel, now called The Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel & Spa, is a famous hotel building in Mobile, Alabama. The hotel you see today was built in 1908. It replaced an older Battle House Hotel that was built in 1852 and burned down in 1905. This hotel is special because it was one of the first buildings in Alabama to use a steel frame structure.
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History of the Battle House Hotel
When Did the First Battle House Hotel Open?
The first Battle House Hotel opened on November 13, 1852. It was started by James Battle and his two half-nephews, John and Samuel. The hotel was built where a military headquarters once stood. This headquarters was used by Andrew Jackson during the War of 1812.
Before the Battle House, two other hotels were on this spot. They were called the Franklin Hotel and the Waverly Hotel. Both of these earlier hotels had burned down. The first Battle House was a four-story brick building. It had a two-story gallery made of cast iron.
Who Stayed at the First Hotel?
Many important people stayed at the first Battle House Hotel. One famous guest was Stephen A. Douglas. He was staying there the night he lost the presidency to Abraham Lincoln. Other notable guests included Henry Clay, Jefferson Davis, Millard Fillmore, Oscar Wilde, and Winfield Scott.
In 1880, a National Weather Service station was set up at the hotel. Electric lights were added in 1884. The hotel was updated in 1900. After serving guests for over 50 years, the first Battle House Hotel burned down on February 12, 1905.
How Was the New Hotel Built?
After the fire, the owners hired Frank M. Andrews from New York City. He designed a new building made of steel and concrete. The new hotel opened its doors in 1908. It remained an important part of Mobile through both World Wars.
Woodrow Wilson stayed at the Battle House in 1913. While there, he made a famous statement. He said that "the United States will never again seek one additional foot of territory by conquest." The hotel was renovated again in 1916 and 1949. Air-conditioning was added to all rooms at that time.
What Happened to the Hotel Later?
Sheraton Hotels bought the Battle House in 1958. They called it the Sheraton-Battle House. In 1968, Sheraton sold it to Gotham Hotels. The hotel then got its original name back.
In May 1973, local citizens bought the hotel. They renamed it the Battle House Royale. They planned to fix it up completely. However, the hotel did not do well and closed in 1974. It stayed closed for 30 years. The empty Battle House Royale building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. By 1980, it was the only building left on its city block.
In 2003, Retirement Systems of Alabama began restoring the hotel. They also built a tall office building next to it. This new building, the RSA Battle House Tower, also has more hotel rooms on its lower floors. The restoration took two years and was finished in 2007.
Today, the Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel & Spa is a member of Historic Hotels of America. This is an official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
What Does the Battle House Hotel Look Like?
How Is the Building Designed?
The Battle House Hotel is an eight-story building. It has a steel frame covered with marble and brick. At the street level, there is a large, one-story entrance. It has two Tuscan columns. The level above this entrance has similar columns and window balconies.
The third floor has a wide, decorative band. Above this band are cast iron balconies. All the windows on the building have special decorative stones above them. The windows on the seventh floor also have cast iron balconies. The roof has a decorative edge with scroll designs.
What Is Inside the Hotel?
The hotel lobby has a beautiful domed skylight. This skylight dates back to 1908. The ceiling and walls have fancy plasterwork. They are also painted using a special technique called trompe-l'œil. This technique makes flat paintings look like real 3D objects. The walls have paintings of famous historical figures. These include Louis XIV of France, George III of the United Kingdom, Ferdinand II of Aragon, and George Washington.
The Trellis Room Restaurant
The Trellis Room is on the lobby floor. It is a restaurant with a four-diamond rating. The restaurant serves food from Northern Italy. It can seat 90 people. It also has a kitchen that guests can see into. This lets them watch the chefs prepare their meals. The Trellis Room ceiling is curved like a barrel. It has a beautiful Tiffany glass skylight.
The Crystal Ballroom
The lobby floor also has the Crystal Ballroom. This room is known as "Mobile's First Harvest." It used to be the hotel's restaurant. The room has been restored to its original colors from 1908. It has very detailed plasterwork with a farming theme. The Battle House was a favorite place for southern planters to visit after planting their crops.
Today, the Crystal Ballroom is used for special events. These include weddings, meetings, and Mardi Gras balls. The first Mardi Gras ball at the Battle House was The Strikers Ball in 1852. Back then, these balls were part of the New Year celebration.
Images for kids
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View from the east on Royal Street in 2008
See also
In Spanish: Battle House Hotel para niños
