Elms Hotel (Excelsior Springs, Missouri) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Elms Hotel and Spa |
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The Elms Hotel and Spa
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| General information | |
| Location | Excelsior Springs, Missouri |
| Address | Regent and Elms Boulevard |
The Elms Hotel and Spa is a famous old hotel located in Excelsior Springs, Missouri. It's known for its long history and its relaxing spa. This special building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's an important part of American history. It's also part of a larger area called The Elms Historic District.
Contents
A Look Back: The Elms Hotel's Story
The First Two Hotels: Built and Burned
The very first Elms Hotel opened its doors in July 1888. It was a large resort with 200 rooms. A year later, in 1889, 75 more rooms were added. Sadly, this beautiful hotel was destroyed by a fire on May 9, 1898, after being open for less than ten years.
A second Elms Hotel was built and opened on July 31, 1909. This one was even bigger, with 300 rooms. But just like the first, it was also destroyed by fire. This happened a little over a year later, on October 30, 1910.
The Current Elms Hotel: A New Beginning
The hotel you see today was built using local stone. It was opened on September 7, 1912, by the Elms Realty Company.
During the 1920s and 1930s, the area around Kansas City, Missouri was a very lively place. The Elms Hotel became a popular spot for people to gather. It was even visited often by famous people of that time.
In 1922, the original owners sold the hotel to Dr. A. S. McCleary. He operated a health center in Kansas City. Dr. McCleary then sold the hotel in 1925 to the Roberts Hotel Company from Chicago.
Challenges and Changes for the Hotel
In 1932, some research studies came out about mineral water. These studies said there was no scientific proof that mineral water had special health benefits. In the same year, the hotel faced financial difficulties. It was then bought by the Eppley Hotel Company.
A President's Visit: Harry S. Truman
In 1948, Harry S. Truman, who was running for president, spent election night at the Elms Hotel. After telling his team he expected to win, he went to the Elms. He wanted to avoid the crowds near his home in Independence, Missouri. The next morning, he woke up to the news that he had won the election!
Throughout its history, the hotel has been a place for other interesting events. For example, famous boxer Jack Dempsey used it as a training camp. Also, the 1948 New York Giants football team stayed there for their summer camp.
New Owners and Renovations
In 1956, the Eppley chain sold the hotel to the Sheraton Corporation. This was part of one of the biggest hotel sales in U.S. history at the time. Sheraton quickly sold the hotel again. But they bought it back in 1960 when it faced financial trouble, renaming it the Sheraton-Elms Hotel.
Sheraton later sold the Elms and other older properties in 1968. The hotel then got its original name back. It stayed open until 1971. After being closed for several years, local people bought it and reopened it in 1977.
In 1991, the hotel again faced financial difficulties but kept operating. The city of Excelsior Springs bought the hotel in 1995. They helped new owners take over, who then spent $16 million to renovate the hotel in 1998.
The hotel closed again in 2011 for another big renovation, costing $20 million. It reopened in 2012, celebrating its 100th birthday! In 2019, it was sold to Hilton properties and is planned for more updates in 2021.
