Sumpter House

The Sumpter House was a centrally located hotel in Hot Springs, Arkansas during the mid 19th and early 20th century.[1] It was located about 200 feet from Central Avenue at the corner of Court and Exchange streets.[2][3][4] It was once one of the largest hotels in Hot Springs, Arkansas.[5][6] For some time, the hotel was owned and operated by John J. Sumpter.[5]

Drawing of the Sumpter House which was located about 200 feet from Central Avenue at the corner of Court and Exchange streets in Hot Springs, Arkansas

History

John J. Sumpter's father, James Sumpter, was an early settler of Hot Springs, Arkansas and in 1844 purchased the land that the Sumpter House was built upon.[5][7] James Sumpter was a sufferer of rheumatism and dyspepsia and when all of the remedies of his home physicians in Missouri failed, he, his wife Elizabeth and two sons, John and William, moved from Missouri to Hot Springs, Arkansas, a place then known for being a health resort.[7]

The Sumpter brothers, William and John, and their mother built a small house that was, in 1889, adjoining the Sumpter Hotel, and began to keep boarders.[8] The hotel was built by E. A. Sage, a resident of Hot Springs.[9]

The Sumpter House was where Police Sergeant Tom Goslee escaped to and remained during the Gunfight at Hot Springs.

In the early 20th century, there was litigation among family members that occurred for several years over who the rightful owners of the Sumpter House were.[10] A decision was made in July 1910, by Chancellor Curl.[10]

By about 1913, a portion of the Sumpter House had become the West Mountain Hotel.[3]

References
  1. "The Sumpter House, Proprietor John J. Sumpter". The Daily Sentinel. 1884-06-18. p. 2. Retrieved 2021-04-03.
  2. "Auction Sale of the entire contents of the Sumpter House, Corner Court and Exchange Street". Hot Springs New Era. 1917-09-22. p. 3. Retrieved 2021-04-03.
  3. "West Mountain Hotel, formerly the Sumpter Hotel". Hot Springs New Era. 1913-01-20. p. 3. Retrieved 2021-04-03.
  4. Durand, Herbert (1892). Hot Springs, Arkansas; its hotels, baths, resorts and beautiful scenery . The Library of Congress. St. Louis, The Woodward & Tiernan printing co. p. 40.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  5. "John J. Sumpter, 1883, Life Sketch and History". Arkansas Democrat. 1883-11-28. p. 2. Retrieved 2021-04-03.
  6. "Hot Springs in Arkansas - Mapped". Finding Hot Springs. Retrieved 2023-06-17.
  7. "James Sumpter, Hot Springs, Arkansas, and his family". Daily Arkansas Gazette. 1893-02-22. p. 1. Retrieved 2021-04-03.
  8. Goodspeed (1889). Biographical and historical memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland and Hot Spring counties, Arkansas, comprising a condensed history of the state... biographies of distinguished citizens...[etc.]. Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center. Chicago, St. Louis [etc.] The Goodspeed publishing co. p. 531.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  9. "E.A. Sage built the Sumpter house". Hot Springs New Era. 1915-02-10. p. 1. Retrieved 2021-04-03.
  10. "Chancellor Curl Renders Decree in Favor of Sumpters and Mrs. Shannahan in Sumpter House Case". Daily Arkansas Gazette. 1910-07-27. p. 11. Retrieved 2021-04-03.

34.512°N 93.055°W / 34.512; -93.055

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