Douglas, Arizona – January 2023 – Gadsden Hotel

Our last stop in Douglas is the historic Gadsden Hotel.

Completed during the Douglas boomtime of 1907, the hotel was destroyed by a fire in 1928 and rebuilt by the same architect who designed all the other important buildings in town, El Paso architect Henry Trost.

It is a majestic building for such a small town.

Legend has it that Pancho Villa rode his horse up these stairs, resulting in a chip in the 7th step up. How, you say, can the staircases have damage from Pancho Villa, who died in 1923, when the hotel burned in 1928.

They, along with the columns, survived the fire.

The painting at the top of the stairs is titled Cave Creek Canyon – Chiricahua Mountain by Audley Dean Nichols.

Bisbee resident Michael Page is a set designer who has done significant work in Hollywood, and has used these staircases as inspiration for a set he completed for the Oscar’s.

In addition to being inspirations, it has been featured in movies, including the Paul Newman movie The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean.

The 42′ long mural at the top of the stairs was completed by Ralph Baker – who was a Tiffany protege.

The columns have gold leafing on them.

A closer look at one of the skylights.

The hotel still uses the old school keys, waiting behind the receptionist desk.

Adding to the overall retro feel is the shoe shine stand, telephone booths and water fountain.

There are conquistador statues gracing the staircase.

The Cafe 333 is the onsite restaurant. It too has the panache to match the rest of the hotel.

In addition to the restaurant they have the Saddle and Spur Tavern.

The Gadsden Hotel is a real treasure of Southern Arizona.