On The Road Less Traveled… The Windsor Hotel, Americus, Georgia
As we hit the road again, one of our first stops was the hauntingly beautiful Windsor Hotel in Americus, GA. And when I say hauntingly, I mean it…
The Windsor was originally a 100-room Victorian structure occupying an entire city block destined to be the crown jewel of Americus. The first inklings of the project began in 1888 when amidst a flurry of architectural proposals and investor invitations, Atlanta architect G.L. Norrman’s upscale brick plan was adopted. Construction began in September of 1890 with the last brick being laid on October 22, 1891.
The Windsor Hotel side entrance. Notice the metal plaque on the right side which states 1892.
The Grand Opening took place on June 16, 1892 with thousands attending the opening and over 100 guests registered for a stay the first day. Striving to be the epitome of opulence and elegance, the hotel featured elevators and was the only hotel in Georgia to use individualized silverware supplied by the local Fricker brothers jewelry store. Many other unique silver pieces graced the dining tables such a soup tureens, coffee pots and sugar dishes. John Windsor, for whom the hotel was named, donated a silver tea service for the grand opening. Today this tea service is on display at the Lee Council House on Church Street.
The hotel has been host to many notable guests including former heavyweight boxing champion John L. Sullivan, Congressman William Jennings Bryan, US House Speaker Charles F. Crisp, and American labor leader Eugene V. Debs. While a senator, future president Franklin D. Roosevelt spoke at the Chamber in Americus and was a guest at the Windsor.
The hotel went through many ups and downs throughout its history including an economic downturn in 1893 shortly after debuting. It was the jeweler Charles Fricker who bought the hotel at public auction for $40,000 after bankruptcy had been declared. Again, opulence returned, this time in the form of electric lights, new elevators, telephones, and steam heat. The Windsor never did recapture her original elegance and in the 1930s, it was sold again to hotel owner Howard Dayton who operated it for a time as an apartment complex until in 1974, the doors of the once grand hotel were closed.
The front facade on Lamar Street, downtown Americus.
Standing in the entrance still gives one a feeling of old world charm, elegance, and sophistication.
Sitting in Floyd’s Pub on the second floor, I began to read the Captain’s Club marquee which lists the names of club captains (for the Americus Golf Club) from 1893 to 1944. One detail which stumped me was a missing year: 1928. There was a club captain for 1927/29 but no listing for 1928. A few questions and a little research found that in 1928 there was a massive boll weevil infestation which devastated Americus and the surrounding areas. The club could no longer manage financially as members and investors alike could no longer pay their dues. The club brought in a golf pro in 1929 who restored the balance and saved it from financial and city ruin.
A nice tribute to the golf captains of the Americus Golf Club. Conspicuous by its absence - the captain for year 1928.
Speaking of Floyd’s and “hauntingly” beautiful decor and presence, the pub is named after Floyd, the elevator operator and bellhop of the hotel for 44 years who ironically never took a drink. After his death and during renovation of the bar, they found a secret compartment which housed Floyd’s name badge, jacket and a few papers. It has been said that Floyd still appears from time to time to greet guests and help with baggage. When people comment how nice the friendly bellhop had been, they are informed that there hasn’t been a bellhop at the Windsor in over 20 years.
Even amid trials and tribulations, financial disasters, and the marching of time, The Windsor Hotel still shines bright in Americus. In 1978, the Dayton family donated the hotel to the city. To avoid demolition for a parking lot, the community rallied together and chose to restore the structure. A development corporation was formed, the city and community leaders banded together, and in 1991 the hotel reopened and stands as you see it today. There are several suites of note in the hotel: the Presidential Suite is named after Jimmy Carter who stayed there in November 2002 to inaugurate it. They also came for his 75th birthday and continued to be avid supporters of the hotel.
Picture this lobby with hundreds of elegant guests. This is from the third floor balcony which leads to the front entrance.
The bridal suite can be found up a private staircase. This room is rumored to have accommodated John Dillinger and Al Capone, complete with body guards at the stairway. During the filming of To Dance With the Dog, Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronin stayed at the Windsor where now two-room executive suites bear their names.
The regal Windsor lobby from the second floor balcony. The past is still very present in the classic hotel.
Our story would not be complete without mention of the “other” inhabitants; those who came before but still remain. Walking in the east entrance to the hotel, I had an immediate overwhelming feeling of presence which I haven’t felt since visiting Mercer House in Savannah, Georgia.
When I asked the front desk manager who else are guests but haven’t checked out since their deaths, he replied that there are many, whether documented or not. Paranormal investigators have stayed over the years remarking on what teams called “The Shadow Man”. In a photo, a smoky outline of a man appears standing behind one of the investigators. Their most known story is of Emily, a former housekeeper along with her daughtr Emma Mae. Rumor has it, while living at the hotel, Emily met a politician who became infatuated with her. It did not end well, however, as one night after many cocktails, Emma Mae irritated the man by running through the third floor halls. He pushed her down the elevator shaft, then pushed Emily along with her to avoid witnesses. He left town afterward and was never seen again.
Guests have commented that the third floor seems to have the most experiences due to a hidden staircase once used by housekeepers to move about unseen. Guests report hearing young laughter, running through the halls, and the sounds of movements in the walls.
And then of course there’s Floyd. If you’re staying on a Sunday night, take in the quiet and nod as the man at the front tips his cap and offers to help with your bags. Give our best to Floyd.
The 1892 Windsor Hotel named after local businessman John Windsor.
