| The Pinehurst Hotel was long a landmark in the heart of downtown Laurel after it first opened its doors in 1914. The large U-shaped Italianate hotel was designed by the New Orleans firm of DeBuys, Churchill, and Labouisse and was constructed by Jackson contractor I.C. Garber. Opening its doors with 106 rooms and constructed as a community project, the four-story hotel gave testimony to the prosperity and rapid growth of Laurel in the first quarter of the twentieth century. For over 60 years, the hotel was not only the principal place of lodging for visitors to the city, but it was also the center of social activity in Laurel. The integrity of the exterior was very good, with the remodeling of the first-story infill and the enclosure of the second-story loggia constituting the only significant exterior alterations. Renovations of the hotel building during several changes of ownership had compromised the interior integrity by the 1980s. The hotel building was listed on the the National Register on 1 March 1984. The last owner of the building, the Swartzfager family, requested permission to demolish the building fearing the liability from the vacant structure. After a stay of demolition to discuss other options, the permit was given and the building torn down. After its demolition, it was delisted from the National Register on 1 October 1987. One wing, added to the building in 1924 and housing the entrance to the Arabian Theater was left standing and is a contributing element in the Laurel Central Historic District. |