VINTAGE HOTEL GAYOSO ROOM KEY Memphis Tennessee

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VINTAGE HOTEL GAYOSO ROOM KEY Memphis Tennessee

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Sold Date: 07/19/2008
Channel: Online Auction
Source: eBay
Category: Advertising

HOTEL GAYOSO - MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - VINTAGE ROOM KEY
This wonderful piece of old Memphis memorabilia is from my private collection. It weighs approximately 33 grams, appears to be made of copper and measures 3 3/8 inches in length. Please check out my 100% Positive ebay Rating! I have included a history of the Gayoso House/Hotel Gayoso below.
The Gayoso Hotel
The original Gayoso House was a top-of-the-line luxury hotel, built in 1844 for $144,000. For a few years it stood alone on the bluff, many blocks south of the main part of Memphis. Landscaped and terraced down to the river; it had its own wharf. When it was renovated in 1855, flush toilets and showers were installed, making it truly world-class. Over the years many famous people stayed at the Gayoso , famed for its comfort, fine food and warmth of hospitality. Among these were fifteen Presidents and Vice-Presidents. One early manager of the hotel was William Houston, brother of General Sam Houston, famous Tennessean, who later became President of the Republic of Texas.
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T he Hotel Gayoso took her place in history during the War Between the States. In the year of the warâe(tm)s beginning, the hotel was a recruiting station for the Confederate Army. Tis was operated by General Gideon Pillow. After Memphis was taken bythe Yankee troops, the Gayoso became headquarters and rendezvous of the Federal officers. This came as no surprise, as they were known for seeking out the best and most comfortable homes or buildings for their own use.
A favorite local story of the War Between the States tells how General William Forrest, on a daring raid, rode his horse into the lobby, looking for the Union General Hurlburt, following the fall of Memphis. On the night of August 21, 1864, William Forrest and a group of his men rode their horses into the Gayosoâe(tm)s lobby, chased Union officers out in their nightshirts and sent them fleeing to the protection of a fort. This attempt to capture the cityâe(tm)s Yankee commanders certainly demoralized the surprised enemy. This nighttime raid had deeper meaning than just a wild and daring escapade. It held back the Federal troops from Mississippi, so the summer crops could be harvested.
After the war, The Gayoso, like the South, had to pick herself up and start again. She once again became one of the Southâe(tm)s finest hotels. The Gayoso was the setting of brilliant parties, debut balls and concerts.
In 1899, the Gayoso House burned to the ground in the great fire that consumed most of the original buildings between Main and Front just north of Beale Street. It was subsequently rebuilt. Goldsmithâe(tm)s Department Store bought it in 1948, and used part of it as office space. It is now an apartment house.
Gayoso Hotel, c. 1866