Described as: Meridian’s predominant hotel: 200 modernly appointed guest rooms with baths and circulating ice-water; excellent, new air-conditioned coffee shop attractively designed in a Spanish motif … famed for fine cuisine; spacious new meeting rooms suitable for conventions or groups; an affiliated national hotel.

    Historic records indicate the Lamar Hotel was built in 1927 by Sam and Joey Meyer, successful grocers, on the corner of 5th Street and 21st Avenue – an eleven-story skyscraper. The hotel was named after Lucius Quintus Cincinatus Lamar II, a former U.S. Senator, cabinet member, and member of the Supreme Court. There were two grand openings to welcome the luxury hotel to Meridian – one for local and state officials, and a second for the general public – must have been a grand affair. There are numerous accounts of the celebrations recorded in historical periodicals and newspapers.

     The expected success of the plush hotel was hampered by the horrific Great Depression, which descended upon the entire nation during the 1930s. There were few survivors in the business world, especially a lavish enterprise in Mississippi such as the Lamar Hotel, but, against all odds, the hotel did survive and was in business until the late 1950s.

     The late 1950s is when my Lamar Hotel memories began. You see my uncle was the manager at that time – Berry M. Brooks. Uncle “B” we called him. I can remember stopping by the hotel with my daddy and Uncle B. would be in a flurry of movement. If the chef had not arrived, Uncle B would be in the kitchen, if the front desk was empty, Uncle B would be registering guests, and on and on. I suppose he was known as a “hands-on” manager, but more than likely, Uncle B ran a tight ship – no slacking, even if he was the one to take on the duty.

     But what was really special – was when my Granny Brooks was invited as a guest. It would just be occasionally and only for a few days, but sometimes, just sometimes, I went along.  Usually my daddy would drive us down. I’m sure someone helped with the baggage, but all I remember is the splendor of it all and the AIR-CONDITIONING.  Yeah!  Oh, and taking our meals in the fancy dining room. I suppose by today’s standards, our room was small, but, oh, so nice. My granny and I were given special notice and respect as family members of “the boss.” These are precious memories of a little girl who felt just like a “princess,” if only for a short time.

     Eventually Uncle B. was transferred to a “sister” hotel in Tupelo. My parents, granny, and I traveled there a few times, but it was never the same.  Oh, Hotel Tupelo was nice enough, but it was NOT the Lamar Hotel in Meridian – no, no.

    Oh, there had been several hotels prior to The Lamar, most located near the railroad station. Beginning in the early 1900s, and even prior to that time, there was a great need to provide lodging for railroad passengers. Some of those hotels were: the Jones House located on the corner of 25th Avenue and 5th Street, the Ragsdale House, built just after the Civil War, was a three story building with a covered walkway that led to the train station, the Phoenix Hotel at 26th Avenue and 7th Street, built in the 1870s and destroyed by fire in 1876, the St. Charles Hotel and St. Bernard Hotel, both built in 1881; and the International Hotel built in 1884. The International Hotel was built by Felix Weidmann founder of Weidmann’s Restaurant, which he opened in 1870. Weidmann’s Restaurant is the oldest operational restaurant located in Mississippi. I enjoyed lunch there last Friday – their lemon almond pie is the very BEST.

    But, back to historic Meridian hotels, the “Golden Age” of Meridian, (1890-1930) enjoyed forty years of Meridian growth and development. The Grand Avenue Hotel was built in 1890, located one block from the train station, and suffered extensive damage by the March 2, 1906 tornado, when a large portion of downtown Meridian was destroyed. The hotel was rebuilt and eventually listed as a contributing property to the Meridian Urban Center Historic District in 1979. Also built in 1890 was the Great Southern Hotel – oh, what excitement this fancy hotel brought to Meridianites. It was five-stories and contained 150 rooms, located at 6th Street and 23rd Avenue. At the time, the building was the largest and most expensive in Meridian. There was a restaurant on the roof, ceiling fans and reading lamps in every room, plus ornate oak woodwork throughout the building.

     Hotel Meridian was built August 1907 and was two blocks from the railroad station. It was known for fine dining – operated as a hotel until the 1930s and later converted into apartments, located on the corner of 22nd Avenue and Front Street, the building was demolished in 2011. The Elmira Hotel was built in 1905 and Terminal Hotel in 1910, Union Hotel in 1908, all located on Front Street.

    The E. F. Young Hotel opened in 1931. It was located in the African American business district. The complex developed into a hotel, two restaurants, Movie Theater, beauty shop, two barber shops, a shoe shine parlor, and hair product manufacturing shop. Talk about entrepreneurs – the Young family and their business expertise helped to put Meridian on the map.

    Everything that I have written today can be researched and read online at various Meridian historic sites. Take some time and learn more about our city. It will make you proud.

      It was in 1969 when Lauderdale County purchased the Lamar Hotel building.  Since the eleven story hotel was located conveniently across from the Lauderdale County Court House, the building was converted into the Raymond P. Davis County Annex Building. Today it continues to serve in that capacity housing the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s office, Lauderdale County Supervisors, Lauderdale County History and Archives, Lauderdale County Extension Office, Justice Court Clerk and Judges, plus other offices for the county government.

    In 1979, the Lamar Hotel building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and added as a Mississippi Landmark in 1988 as well. When the Meridian Downtown Historic District was created in 2007, the Lamar Hotel building was added to that distinction as well.  

    My best and favorite Lamar Hotel memory — when it was time for my high school graduation tea, we booked the Lamar Hotel. What a thrill – to invite my girlfriends to such a lovely party, but, at that time, the grand hotel was in its last days as a large and luxurious meeting place.  

     Meridian Moment in Time – a visit to the hotels of our city. May we have another plushy hotel located in downtown Meridian soon.