One of Alabama’s most historic hotels, which once housed Civil War soldiers, leaders of the Civil Rights Movement and more, will close at the end of the week, less than four months after re-opening to guests.
The historic St. James Hotel overlooking the Alabama River on Water Avenue in downtown Selma announced on social media this morning that it would be closing its doors for good on Saturday, Aug. 23. It is the only surviving pre-Civil War hotel in the southeast.
“We are deeply saddened to share that the historic St. James Hotel will close its doors on August 23rd,” the post reads. “Since first opening in 1837, the St. James has welcomed an extraordinary range of guests — from the infamous Jesse James to Civil War soldiers and leaders of the Civil Rights Movement. This was not an easy decision, and our hope remains that one day the St. James will once again be restored to the prominence and legacy it so richly deserves.”
The 200-year-old hotel is owned by Rhaglan Hospitality CEO Jim Lewis, according to the Selma Times-Journal. It had re-opened in May after a two-month closure beginning in March while new management, Spire Hospitality, took over and re-trained staff. It was previously a Hilton Tapestry property.
Sterling Restaurant, housed inside the hotel, will also be closing, according to Spire Hospitality General Manager Mike Hogan. He said the decision to close the historic hotel was made by the owners due to the “overall business volumes going into the property.”
The hotel has a tumultuous history since it first opened as the Brantley Hotel in 1837. While it has played a significant role in the area’s history, it was first closed down in 1892 and remained vacant for a hundred years before being restored beginning in 1991 and reopening in 1997. It closed again in 2015, but was fully renovated and reopened in 2021.
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