Lentz Hotel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Lentz Hotel
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Lentz Hotel, March 2007
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 Location in North Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Location | College St., Mount Pleasant, North Carolina |
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| Area | 0.5 acres (0.20 ha) |
| Built | c. 1853 |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival, Bracketed Mode |
| NRHP reference No. | 82003438 |
| Added to NRHP | June 14, 1982 |
The Lentz Hotel is a really old building in Mount Pleasant, North Carolina. It was built way back in 1853! This makes it the oldest business building in all of Cabarrus County, North Carolina. In 1980, the hotel was carefully moved from its first spot and made new again.
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What Does the Lentz Hotel Look Like?
The outside of the Lentz Hotel is made of wood planks called "board-and-batten". These planks are held up by a strong frame made of chestnut wood. The building shows a special style called "bracketed mode". This style was made popular by an architect named Andrew Jackson Downing.
Unique Features of the Hotel
This building style is also known as "Carpenter Gothic". It has wide roof edges called eaves with decorative supports underneath. The outside walls have vertical wood planks, and the windows have thick wooden frames called lintels. Inside, you'll find seven fancy fireplace frames, called mantels, and a staircase. These parts show the "Greek Revival" style.
Building Materials
The outside walls are made of cypress wood. Inside, the walls are made of pine. The floors are made from strong, old pine planks.
A Look Back: History of the Lentz Hotel
The Lentz Hotel was built in 1853 by W. R. Scott. It was first known as the Mt. Pleasant Hotel. In 1863, Scott sold the hotel to John Lentz. He sold it for $1,350 in Confederate money, which was used during the American Civil War.
The Lentz Family's Hotel
The Lentz family ran the hotel for over 60 years! Three different generations of the family worked there. In 1911, something interesting happened. The Mont Ameona Seminary school burned down. So, the Lentz family built outside stairs for the girls from the school. This way, the girls could use the upstairs rooms without walking through the downstairs area where men might be.
A Hub for Social Life
The Lentz Hotel was a very important place in Mt. Pleasant. It was the main spot for parties and social events in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The town was a center for both trade and education, which helped the hotel do well. In 1926, the Lentz family sold the hotel.
Saving the Historic Building
Over many years, the hotel was used as a rental property and started to get old and worn out. In 1980, the owners planned to tear it down to build something new. But the Mt. Pleasant Insurance Company and local people who wanted to save old buildings stepped in. They found money from the Historic Preservation Fund of North Carolina and the Daniel J. Stowe Foundation.
With this help, the Lentz Hotel was moved to its current spot on College Street in Mount Pleasant. After its big move, the hotel was fully fixed up and restored. It was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. This means it's recognized as an important historical site.
