City Directories and History:
The Eureka Hotel (historic postcard, Brian Scott)
A brief history of the Belmont Inn…..
“A modern hotel will do as much toward the building up of our city as any enterprise established in the last few years. Abbeville neither sleeps nor slumbers when the question of pushing forward is considered.” These words were quoted by the editor of the Abbeville Press and Banner concerning the building of a “new and modern hotel” in June 1902. This conception by Mr. P. Rosenberg became a reality in October when construction began and on August 19, 1903, Abbeville had a “thirty thousand dollar hotel” known as the Eureka. During the days of vaudeville and the great road show, companies traveled between New York and Miami stayed at the Eureka, Abbeville being a mid-point stop. The need for a suitable place of performance for these companies was soon apparent and on October 1, 1908, the “Grand Opera House” opened its door to the public. The Eureka operated for many years, serving the railroad, textile industries and guests of the Opera House.
The Eureka Hotel (historic postcard, Brian Scott)
In 1972, the hotel was closed and stood defunct until 1983 when Mr. and Mrs. Joseph C. Harden purchased it. In December 1983, restoration began and the grand opening of Th Belmont inn was held on November 23, 1984.
Romanesque archways grace the front porch (Brian Scott)
Originally, this historic beauty of Spanish architecture was comprised of thirty-four guest rooms, several public rest rooms with baths which were used by all occupants, an elegant dining room, beautiful parlors, shops and a sample room for traveling salesmen to display their wares to the local merchants. The 1983 renovation transcended the hotel into a twenty-five room inn with private baths and all modern conveniences. The inn has retained its original appearance from the slate room to the antique reproductions in furnishings. Hand-crafted armoires are used in each guestroom instead of closets in keeping with the style of the turn of the century.
The Belmont Inn (Brian Scott)
In June 1996, Alan and Audrey Peterson purchased the Belmont and began remodeling. On July 10, 1996, the Belmont Inn reopened. The Belmont Inn was purchased in the spring of 2013 by the Laatz, a German family, and completely renovated once again, only to be closed two years later. In 2015, a local holding company comprised of Abbeville community citizens organized to prevent the hotel from closing, due to financial difficulties. Bids were accepted for purchase of the facility by new owners in early September. The new caretakers are reported as Edie New and Renee Smith local residents of Abbeville and the current owner/managers of the popular bar and restaurant “Natty’s on Trinity.” New and Smith will take over the operation of the inn from the holding company until new buyers are secured. (From flyer at visitor’s center.)
The Belmont Inn is listed in the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Abbeville Historic District on May 7, 1984.
Belmont Inn (1903) Historic Marker (Brian Scott)
Additional Links
- Abbeville’s Belmont Inn welcomes new owners after foreclosure (Aug. 5, 2015, The Greenwood Index Journal)
- New owners reviving the Belmont Inn (Oct. 2, 2015, The Greenwood Index Journal)
- Welcome to the Belmont Inn
- Abbeville Historic District – National Register of Historic Places Information
- Belmont Inn (SCETV Roadshow)
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