Inside The Josephine ~ Part 2 of 7

It's almost as much fun to look into the past when you see the inside of this old hotel as it is to think of what could be.  You think of the people who might have stayed here.  Were they visiting family or just passing through?  We're they salesmen or business men in town to close a deal?  Could they have been a politician with his staff on a campaign stop?  What ever the reason, everyone wanted a chance to stay at one of the finest hotels in Alabama in the 1880's.  

The Josephine was world class and it was designed and built by the very best architects and builders to be found in Alabama.  However, it was the vision of Dr. Robert Fleming and his determination to invest in Union Springs that made The Josephine Hotel a reality. 

This ad, like many others, were placed in the Union Springs Herald well in advance of The Josephine's grand opening. 
September 13th, 1880 was the day of she opened.  A reception welcoming guest and borders, all awaiting to see the stylish accommodations.  It had to be quite the sight.

The hotel, with it's stylish furnishings, dark walnut woodworks, newly heart pine stained wood floors, elegant woven rugs, draperies, first class dining, and delicious cuisine would make The Josephine Hotel irresistible to passing travelers.

Today, The Josephine still stands.  She is about to be awakened.  

Her front windows are currently being replaced.  In the near future, she will have all that white paint removed and restored back to her original red brick.  With time, and money the owners hope to get rid of that awful awning and restore the original facade back to the original look.  The porch and beautiful balcony will become a place where the town's people will once again gather.

Today, you see here what's left after 134 years of multiple renovations.  Let me explain what you are seeing here.

First this is the front facing Prairie Street.  If you were to remove the wall to your right you'll see another window that comes to the floor just like the one you see on the right in the photo.  This room is much larger than it looks.  Without the wall on the right you would be standing in what was the original lobby of the hotel.  The window there that comes to the floor would allow people access to the balcony.  There was a wonderful large swing on that porch. 

Furniture items left behind from long ago still remain here.

If the balcony were still here, guests would have this view.

The entire hotel has transoms.  When all the windows are open and these transoms are open as well, there is a very nice and continuous breeze blowing.  Even in these hot, humid summers we have here, one could find relief by sitting in the lobby and enjoying a that breeze. 

Since there weren't telephones in the rooms in those days, a guest would simply push this button for service.  This would ring the clerk at the registration desk in the lobby.  The clerk would then dispatch a hotel servant to attend to the needs of the guest. 

Almost every door in the building still has the original number on it. The doors are made of solid dark walnut.  Amazingly they still open and close as perfectly as the day they were built.

 Many of the doors still have these beautiful and original hinges on them.  They're ornate and incredibly well made.

Most of the rooms have sinks in them.  The shared bathrooms would be between two rooms.  They included a tub and a toilet. However, that is not what was original to the way it was in 1880. I believe I was told that there may have only been two bathrooms per floor and shared by all on that floor.  (Uhh, I don't think I could do that, do you?)

Below, all the tubs in the building are cast iron tubs. All but one. There is only one that is a claw-footed tub.  Most likely the only one original to the building.  The others were probably removed by previous owners of the past.  I tried to get a photo of that claw-footed tub, but it was in a dark room, with no power, and silly me couldn't get my flash to work.  

Almost all the rooms still have the original radiators for heat.  Some had fireplaces in addition. 

Remains of a bathroom.

More furniture left behind.

 Long ago all the side windows were bricked up by a past owner.  Why?  Who knows.

This is another door that leads to the shared bathroom and the opened door to another room.  See that wonderful dark wood peeking out from beneath that white paint? 

An old cane bottom chair found tucked away in a closet.  Like time stood still.

More furniture left behind...

Wall brackets with ornate tops, made for shelving.  

An old chair an a few other old items left behind.

Here's an old record album some one left. Tommy Sands, a very popular singer and later became an actor.  This album was released in 1957.  

An additional door in this room gave access to another hall and staircase that led to the 3rd floor.  The door is somewhat smaller than entry doors to the rooms. 

This is that stairway below.  Is this where backstairs gossip got it's start?

The woodwork on this staircase is also all original an in amazing condition.  Not one slat out of place.  Just beautiful!

In the photo above if you notice to the left of the stairs you see what looks like a door.  That is a closet under the stairs.  Want to know what was found there?

Well you will have to wait until part 3 of this 7 part blog.  Don't you just love to be kept hanging?  

Don't want to miss a single part?  Just go back to the top of this blog and enter your email address in the white bar.  What happens is that when I hit the publish button it will send you the latest blog post. That way you'll never miss a single post.

Thank you for joining me on this tour of the historic Josephine Hotel.  Be sure to catch the next post coming soon and we'll continue the tour on the first floor.