Shown left is a 1940's view of the Hotel James Monroe formerly located on Monroe Street. This once famous hotel building was originally built in the 1870's and was known as the Upton Inn, Hyatt Hotel, Sweetwater Hotel, Carlot House and then finally the Hotel James Monroe. Tragically, it was torn down by its last owner in the 1960's.

The three story brick building had a beautiful lobby with marble floors, a parlor, proprietor's office, dining room and 15 bedrooms. Each guest room featured a high wooden bed, table with a pitcher and bowl, a large dresser and a rocking chair. It was a modern hotel noted for its excellent food prepared by cooks of the South and the time-honored rule of Southern hospitality predominated the atmosphere. According to records from the early 1900's, meals at the hotel were 50-cents per person, all you could eat, and rooms rented for $1.50 per night.

The hotel register offers quite an impressive list of guests! President U.S. Grant stopped by the hotel at least twice, possibly with members of his family and cabinet. John Robinson, founder of "John Robinson's World Exposition" arrived in town July 19, 1875. It should be noted that Robinson's show stopped only in thriving towns and prosperous communities. Other names on the hotel register that you might recognize are Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse and Col. Tom Thumb!