Uriah Drake, a wealthy industrialist, designed and built the Grantham Hotel in Forrest City in 1867.
The Great Fire of 1874 severely damaged a large portion of the Grantham Hotel. It was nearly two years before the hotel could be re-opened.
The Grantham Hotel's Carriage House used to serve the needs of the guests' horses and carriages. Now it serves as the hotel's bar and grill amid vintage equestrian antiques and restored woodwork.
Lewis Carroll was a frequent visitor to Forrest City when on vacation from his home in England. He often stayed at the Grantham Hotel.
Harry Houdini stayed at the Grantham Hotel whenever he was in town. Late in his career, he would stay for weeks at a time in Room #7 on the first floor of the hotel.
Benedict Dawes and his sister Rachel stayed at the Grantham Hotel several times. Mr. Dawes planned much of his expedition to Mesoamerica from a suite of rooms on the eighth floor. A Mayan stone carving on display in the hotel lobby's given as a gift by Dawes to hotel owner Uriah Drake.
This Egyptian stone relief was brought back from Egypt by Uriah Drake and is on display in the hotel lobby.
The Grantham Hotel has been welcoming guests for 150 years.
The current owner of the Grantham Hotel, Jackson Broadbent.
History
The Grantham Hotel was built by real estate and railroad tycoon Uriah Drake. Construction was largely completed by 1864, but the hotel did not open until 1867. Rooms started at $4 a night, including three meals a day.
The hotel was severely damaged by the Great Fire in 1874, but was rebuilt and reopened by 1876.
Many distinguished guests have stayed at the Grantham Hotel over the decades including Algernon Blackwood, Harry Houdini, Lewis Carroll and Edgar Allan Poe.
Ownership of the hotel has changed several times. It is currently owned by Jackson Broadbent.