Bryan Co., OK; Town of Durant - History --------------------------------- Submitted by the Bryan County Heritage Library Located in Calera, OK Written by Typed for the archives by Trudy Marlow --------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. Files may be printed or copied for personal use only. ---------------------------------------------------- THE BRYAN HOTEL Construction on the Bryan Hotel began in August 1928. The four story building was completed in early 1929 and officially opened with elaborate ceremony on March 25th and 26th of that year. Original owners were Clarence Dyer, Sam Swinney, G. Walter Archibald, Robert F. Story, Lawrence F. Lee, and Jewell Hicks. The hotel was designed by the firm of Latyon, Hicks, and Forsyth, who also designed the state capitol and many other public buildings. The Manhattan Construction Company built the structure and the hotel opened at a total cost of $191,319.14. The Bryan Hotel was southeastern Oklahoma's center for social and political activities. In the early 1930's when politicians campaigned by rail many local, state, and national politicians stayed here-Elmer Thomas, Robert Kerr, Carl Albert, Alfalfa Bill Murray, and William Jennings Bryan. The hotel ballroom was the scene of many dances and receptions, and a regular Saturday night poker game was held on the second floor. Nashville entertainers Roy Acuff and Uncle Dave were guests at the hotel in the early 1940's, and Durant's own Pinky Tomlin, known for his hit song "The Object of My Affection" was a guest, on one occasion driven here from Hollywood by Clark Gable's chauffeur. Pretty Boy Floyd was a frequent customer in the hotel coffee shop. The hotel changed owners several times, and an extensive remodeling was completed in the fifties. Present owners Ruth Mcleod and Guy M. Willis, both of Dallas, purchased the hotel in 1981. Since that time restoration has been in progress. In the lobby, original terazzo floors, marble baseboards, and chandeliers imported from Czechoslovakia in 1928 have been repaired and once more the lobby is gracious and welcoming. The original ceiling fans have been restored and the immense boiler still supplies radiators with steam heat. Visitors ascend to guest floors in the Otis elevator, its copper gate gleaming. Although the original furnishings have long since vanished, many of the rooms are furnished with antiques, as is the lobby. The hotel has been nominated to be a Historical Monument, and the hotel staff are involved in researching the history of the hotel, Members of the community have shown great interest in the restoration, and tours of the hotel are given every day. ------------------------------------------------- Written by Lorna Flangsburg