Last weekend Christian had a track meet at Liberty University in Lynchburg. In between his events, we left to grab a bite to eat. This photo is of the Craddock Terry Hotel. Yes, I know there are ugly electrical wires and poles in the picture but you know, that's how it looks so your stuck with them in the photo ha! Anyways, I've always wondered why there's a big red shoe on the building. I mean really, what do shoes and hotels have in common? Well, here's why, for all you inquiring minds :)
(From Historic Hotels.org)
Today a name inextricably connected with the finest in luxury accommodations and hospitality, Craddock Terry was once associated with shoes. The Craddock Terry Shoe Company was, in fact, the first shoe company south of the Mason-Dixon Line and the fifth largest in the world. Built on the edge of the James River in 1901, the factory immediately became the backbone of the city’s commercial success. In recent years, it was converted into a luxury boutique hotel occupying the original building and the historic tobacco warehouse next door. Original architectural details such as brick walls, high ceilings, and large windows with views of downtown, the river, and the Blue Ridge Mountains complement the stylish modern décor, appropriately accented with shoes.
Shoes are celebrated in the services of this landmark hotel. Daily, guests enjoy a signature in-room shoebox breakfast, and overnight, they are treated to shoe shine.
Original Property Opened: 1893
Contact Information:
Street Address:
1312 Commerce Street
Lynchburg, VA 23504
Historic Hotels of America toll-free reservations number +1 800 678 8946
I love this!! So glad you decided to see what it was all about. Such an interesting background... Hope you are enjoying the week with the kids.
ReplyDeleteWhat a neat place. I've never noticed it before in Lynchburg.
ReplyDeleteLove that shoe- the wires add to the photo too. BTW, my photo was edited, I think, with http://pixlr.com/o-matic/
ReplyDeleteAnd a fine looking hotel it is. The connection with shoes was very interesting too.
ReplyDeleteNice building and such a lovely tree!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun bit of history, that bright red shoe is fantastic! I actually like the wires, natural still life:)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful building, only the shoe could be a bit bigger ;-)
ReplyDeleteNice composition, Tanya!
What fun! I have some friends who would stay there just because of that shoe :). Love the concept and glad you didn't edit your photo.
ReplyDeletetoo funny!
ReplyDeleteOh I love the history about the shoes. I would so stay there. Merry Christmas Tanya. B
ReplyDeleteThat red shoe is SO cool! I hope you get your snow! Willard was hammered this morning. It left a little on the ground for the girls to play in. It's melting pretty quick.
ReplyDeleteCool information! It does rather look like a factory once you know the history! And sometimes power lines are just there! :)
ReplyDeletePretty cool place and great history. I love that gigantic red shoe!
ReplyDeleteI have been it that area but missed that building somehow. I like all of the old stone work on the canal over there, there is still some examples up your way along the James but it is often hard to get to.
ReplyDeleteTanya, just try living without those wires! An interesting tale of the show company that became a hotel. Lots of old companies have absorbing tales, but too often we don't pay attention. For example, in a town near where I grew up, and old company rendered horses and made gelatin from them, and in time turned into making film. It was one of the companies that eventually grew into Eastman Kodak.
ReplyDeleteI have given up trying to avoid the wires. Like Jack said they are everywhere. That's some pump.
ReplyDeleteI remember buying Craddock-Terry shoes, or rather, having them purchased for me, when I was a child. Had forgotten all about that!
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