Bentley Hotel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bentley Hotel
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Hotel Bentley
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 Location in Louisiana
Location in the United States
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| Location | 200 Desoto St., Alexandria, Louisiana |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1907 (Opened 1908) |
| Architect | George R. Mann |
| Architectural style | Renaissance |
| NRHP reference No. | 79001084 |
| Added to NRHP | November 15, 1979 |
The Bentley Hotel, also known as the Hotel Bentley, is a beautiful hotel in downtown Alexandria, Louisiana. It is built in a classic Renaissance style. This means it looks like buildings from the European Renaissance period. The hotel is a famous landmark in central Louisiana.
Contents
A Hotel's Beginning
How the Bentley Was Built
A rich businessman named Joseph Bentley built this hotel. He made his money from the timber industry, which means cutting down trees for wood. He spent about $700,000 to build it. The story goes that he decided to build his own fancy hotel because another local hotel wouldn't let him eat there. They said he wasn't dressed well enough!
The Hotel Bentley first opened its doors in August 1908. Joseph Bentley himself lived in the hotel until he passed away in 1938.
Becoming a Historic Place
On November 15, 1979, the Hotel Bentley was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a special list kept by the United States government. It includes buildings, sites, and objects that are important in American history. Being on this list helps protect the building.
Changes Over Time
New Owners and Renovations
Over the years, the hotel has had different owners. One past owner was Buddy Tudor. He was a businessman from Pineville, Louisiana. He worked hard to keep the hotel in good shape and protect its history.
Later, another owner, Robert G. "Bob" Dean, Jr., closed the hotel in December 2004. It stayed closed for several years. Then, in October 2012, Michael Jenkins bought the hotel. He paid $3.4 million for it.
Mr. Jenkins worked to fix up and improve the hotel. He has reopened the main hotel section. It now has 100 rooms ready for guests. The newer part of the building, a seven-story tower, is being turned into apartments. The older part of the hotel is still used as a hotel. The hotel's restaurant, The Bentley Room, and its lounge, the Mirror Room, are also open again.
A Place of History and Famous Guests
World War II Connection
The Hotel Bentley played an important role during World War II. This was because of the famous Louisiana Maneuvers. These were large military training exercises held nearby. Many important military leaders stayed at the Bentley during this time.
Some of these famous generals included George S. Patton, Omar Bradley, Joseph Stilwell, and Dwight D. Eisenhower. They often used the Bentley as their headquarters.
Inside the hotel's lobby, you can find a special display. It has old items from the Louisiana History Museum. There is also an area dedicated to World War II. It shows many cool items from the war.
Celebrating History and Visitors
On August 10, 2018, the Bentley Hotel celebrated its 110th birthday! Besides military leaders, many famous entertainers have also visited the hotel. These include movie stars like John Wayne, Roy Rogers, and Cary Grant.
