The South's finest and one of America's best-these words have always
defined the world-famous Peabody Hotel in Memphis, Tennessee. The
Peabody emerged from the war-torn, post-Civil War South in 1869 to
become one of the finest hotels in America. Its reputation for comfort,
service, and fine dining grew along with Memphis's stature as the river
city, cotton capital, and birthplace of the blues. The most famous and
infamous citizens of the era stayed at the original Peabody in its day.
There, plantations were won or lost on a roll of the dice. After more
than 50 years, the original hotel was replaced by a new 12-story,
615-room hotel in 1925. It was then that the hotel's name became
synonymous with elegance. It also became the social center of Memphis
and the mid-South, and a haunt for the rich and famous. The celebrated
ducks swimming in the marble lobby fountain, parties in the skyway, or
dancing on the open plantation roof to the music of the most renowned
bands and orchestras of the day have all been part of this fabulous
hotel's history. Today, the fully restored Peabody retains its
reputation for legendary Southern hospitality and tasteful elegance. The
hotel continues to serve as an anchor for the restoration and
revitalization of the downtown area of one of America's most important
cities.
