History
Uncovering the Historical Journey of Staunton's Landmark
Originally named the Stonewall Jackson Hotel, our historic hotel in Staunton, Virginia, was restored to preserve many original features while expanding to serve today's guests in 2005. Located in the heart of the city, our hotel has a heritage dating back to a bygone era, and its architecture and charm reflect its fascinating journey.
The $21.1 million renovations added a complete range of modern amenities and services to the hotel. While the hotel has been renovated, it still retains its historic charm and character. Discover the historical significance of each nook and cranny, and immerse yourself in the nostalgia of Staunton's vibrant past.
Origin
Known as Staunton's "Grande Dame," the Hotel 24 South would probably never have been built if not for the efforts of Alexander Tobie Moore, "one of the best-known hotel men of the South," according to the Staunton News-Leader. Moore came to Staunton in 1909 to buy the old Virginia Hotel at a foreclosure auction. He fixed it up and quickly became Staunton's most prominent hotelier, but he knew Staunton needed a bigger, more modern hotel for the 20th century.
In 1922, Moore announced plans to purchase the site immediately adjacent to his Virginia Hotel on Market Street and build a new hotel, connecting the back of the hotel to Virginia with a covered arcade. The new hotel would be five stories at street level, with 100 rooms supplemented by at least 50 in the old Virginia. Volunteers from the local Rotary and Kiwanis clubs went door to door selling bonds for the project, and by early 1923, financing was in place.
Construction
Moore chose the experienced New York architectural firm of H.L. Stevens & Company to design the new hotel in the famous Georgian Revival style. The Staunton Hotel is an excellent example of this restrained, neoclassical style. The façade includes neoclassical ornamentation, such as decorative balustrades under the central windows, that lend classical dignity to the building without overpowering.
Construction began in April 1923, and it opened in May 1924. The grand two-story lobby featured fine walnut furniture and a balustraded mezzanine on the second level. On the south side was the Fountain Dining Room, featuring crystal chandeliers and a small fountain in the center with a statue of a boy with a fish. Next to it was the Colonnade Ballroom, with a sweeping windowed bay at its far end. Perched on the mezzanine level was a handsome Wurlitzer organ, customized to fit its space.
1930-1960
Moore yearned to expand the hotel, and in early 1930, he had the old Virginia Hotel demolished, planning to build a new, larger extension of the Stonewall Jackson in its place. But financing became impossible as the Great Depression sunk in, and never built the addition. Sadly, Moore died in a tragic automobile accident in 1935, leaving his widow, Elizabeth Clemmer Moore, to run the hotel. Moore renovated and operated the hotel until sold it in 1947.
In the early 1960s, a giant neon sign was installed on the roof reading "Stonewall Jackson Hotel" to attract motorists to the old downtown hotel. It was not enough, and the hotel closed in 1968.
In the early 1960s, a giant neon sign was installed on the roof reading "Stonewall Jackson Hotel" to attract motorists to the old downtown hotel. It was not enough, and the hotel closed in 1968.
Allen Lee Persinger and Katharine Grove Persinger, longtime Staunton residents, purchased the Stonewall Jackson and reopened it as a residential hotel and assisted living facility for senior citizens, modeling it on other hotels that had been repurposed in this way. The hotel continued to serve the local community for several more decades, while the Persingers dreamed of someday restoring the grand old lady to her former glory and reopening her once again as a first-class hotel.
2003-Present
In 2003, a successful renovation plan finally came together. A multi-party financing arrangement worked out and created a new conference center on the north side of the hotel while also updating and carefully restoring the original hotel. The newly renovated hotel boasted 124 guest rooms, ten new meeting rooms in the conference center, and a brightly restored lobby, ballroom, and dining room.
At the start and throughout the project, there were discussions regarding the name of the hotel, and the presence of the landmark sign was one reason it was decided the Stonewall Jackson Hotel name should be retained. However, by 2020, the decision was made to rename the property, and the name was changed to Hotel 24 South, reflecting the hotel's address and legacy dating back to 1924. As the hotel begins its second hundred years of existence, it is a vital element of the city's continued downtown revival.
Accommodations
The accommodations at Hotel 24 South are located in two seamlessly conjoined sections. The first is the hotel's historic wing. The hallways and entryways here have been preserved to their original configuration. Additional rooms in the new wing allow the hotel to welcome more guests and host small meetings, groups, and weddings.
New Additions
The expansion of Hotel 24 South encompasses a range of exciting enhancements, including the newly added portecochere, an impressive 4,453 square feet of versatile meeting and event spaces, a state-of-the-art business center, a welcoming indoor pool, a well-equipped fitness facility, and a delightful gift shop. This significant renovation project has earned Hotel 24 South esteemed recognition from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, underscoring its historical and architectural importance.