Hale Springs Inn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Hale Springs Inn
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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The Hale Springs Inn is located
within the Rogersville Historic District |
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| Location | 110 Wast Main Street, Rogersville, Tennessee |
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| Nearest city | Rogersville, Tennessee |
| Built | 1824 |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Part of | Rogersville Historic District (ID73001787) |
| Designated CP | February 23, 1973 |
The Hale Springs Inn in Rogersville, Tennessee, is a very old and important building. It was built way back in 1824 and used to be the oldest hotel that stayed open all the time in Tennessee! Today, it's part of the Rogersville Historic District, which means it's a special historical place. The Inn is located right on the Courthouse Square in Rogersville.
Contents
Building a Grand Inn: The Early Days
The Hale Springs Inn was built in 1824 by a man named John McKinney. He was a lawyer and businessman in Rogersville. At that time, the town's founder, Joseph Rogers, already had a tavern. But his taverns weren't very big or fancy.
McKinney wanted to build a much bigger and better place. He started building the Inn in 1823. It was a huge, three-story building made of brick. It was built in the Federal style, which was popular back then. The Inn had a bar and many guest rooms on different floors. It also had a grand balcony over the front door. This balcony would become very famous later on.
Famous Visitors: Presidents and More
During the 1800s, many important people stayed at the Hale Springs Inn. They were traveling through Tennessee, which was a new and growing state. Three United States Presidents even stayed there! These were Andrew Jackson, James K. Polk, and Andrew Johnson.
President Andrew Jackson's Visit
President Andrew Jackson stayed at the Inn soon after it was finished. He even gave a political speech from the Inn's balcony to a crowd of people in Rogersville. John McKinney, the Inn's owner, was very proud of this. It was a big win for him over his rival, Joseph Rogers. Rogers had also asked the President to stay at his tavern.
Letters from that time show that President Jackson chose the Hale Springs Inn because of its impressive balcony. It was a great place for him to speak to the public.
The Inn During the Civil War
The American Civil War (1861-1865) was a very difficult time for the United States. People in East Tennessee, where Rogersville is, were divided. Some supported the Union (the North), and others supported the Confederacy (the South).
This conflict affected the buildings in Rogersville. When Union soldiers took control of the town, they used the Hale Springs Inn as their main office. The Inn was on the south side of Main Street but faced north. Later, in 1863, Confederate soldiers took Rogersville back during the Battle of Big Creek. They set up their main office in the Kyle House. This building was across the street from the Inn and faced south.
Renovation and Reopening
The Inn closed in 1998, after being Tennessee's oldest hotel that had stayed open all the time. In 2003, the Rogersville Heritage Association bought the Inn. They worked with the town government to start a big renovation project. This project cost over $2.1 million by 2009.
During the renovation, a part of the building that was added in 1870 fell down. It was then taken apart, leaving only the original 1824 building. Builders saved bricks from the old addition. They used these bricks for the outside of the new addition, which included a kitchen. The Inn was planned to reopen in June 2009.
Changes in the Twentieth Century
After the Civil War, the Inn's name was changed to Hale Springs Hotel. It became a popular stop for tourists visiting the nearby Hale Springs Resort. This resort had famous hot mineral springs near Rogersville.
The Inn continued to operate as a hotel until it briefly closed in 1980. It was then bought by a new owner. The Inn was carefully restored to look like it did in the 1820s and 1830s. After this restoration, it reopened again as the Hale Springs Inn.
A Special Place: The Crown Jewel
In 1999, the Inn's owner, Captain Carl Netherland-Brown, closed it. The Rogersville Heritage Association decided to buy the Inn. They wanted to keep it running as a hotel. They decided to focus on the Inn's rich history. They saw it as the "crown jewel" of the downtown Rogersville Historic District.
The Inn has gone through many updates. This is a joint effort between the Town of Rogersville and the Rogersville Heritage Association.
The Hale Springs Inn reopened in 2009. It now has nine spacious guestrooms. It also has McKinney's Restaurant and Tavern inside. Visitors are welcome to tour the beautifully restored Inn. You can also have lunch or dinner there. The Inn is also a popular place for weddings, family reunions, and other events.
Recognized for History: National Register
The Hale Springs Inn is not listed on its own on the National Register of Historic Places. However, it is recognized as a "contributing property" of the Rogersville Historic District. This means it's a very important part of the historic district. Because of this, it helps make the entire district special enough to be on the National Register.
