The Russ Hotel – (photograph from The Taylor~Trotwood Magazine, February 1907)

The Hotel Russ, A Palace for Travelers

This article was published in “The Clifton Mirror” Clifton, Tennessee, Friday, February 3, 1905. The Rust family, along with their related familiintention to have his own electric light plant, but he has decided to use the power now in course of furnishing by the new company, in which he is one of the principal stockholders. It should be added here that the doors, windows and sash were furnished by the Cottage Building Co., the iron by Geo. L. Meskey & Co., and the carpet, rugs and curtains by the Wm. E. French Co., all of Evansville. The hotel has its own water works and sewerage system. Mr. W. W. Atchinson and wife conducted the Hotel Russ

The Hotel Russ, A Palace for Travelers

This article was published in “The Clifton Mirror” Clifton, Tennessee, Friday, February 3, 1905. The Rust family, along with their related families, had settled in Wayne County between 1840 and 1850. It is said that the father of J. G. Russ admonished his son for changing the family name from Rust to Russ. Legend relates that this hotel was the host to German General Rommel prior to his North Africa campaign. Stated purpose for his visit was to study the tactics of Civil War General Nathan Bedford Forrest. Author of the article is unknown.

The commercial traveler—and his name is legion—may travel far and wide before he finds a cozier and more hospitable home in which to repose his restless bones for a brief season than the Hotel Ruses, a picture of which is presented herewith. We speak of the commercial traveler especially because he is the most ubiquitous bird of passage produced by this age of enterprise, but as a matter of fact the traveling public generally may find a warm welcome and generous treatment beneath the rooftree` of this hostelry. The Hotel Russ was thrown open to the public just one year ago. It was built by Mr. J. G. Russ, one of the wealthiest and most substantial citizens of Clifton, as well as one of the most enterprising. Mr. Russ was himself on the road for twenty years, representing the wholesale dry goods house of The Mackay Nisbett Co. of Evansville, Ind., and knows from practical experience the kind of accommodations that delights the hearts of the traveling fraternity. When he retired from his profession a few years ago he resolved to erect in Clifton a hostelry that would be a credit to the town, a never failing source of satisfaction to the caravan that passes this way, and that is incidentally a monument to his enterprise and generosity. The Hotel Russ is the result. The building is located at the corner of Water and Main streets, overlooking the beautiful Tennessee river, that sweeps in graceful curves and bends within the range of one’s vision until it narrows into a faint blue ribbon many miles away. It occupies a ground space of 100×85 feet, is three stories in heighth including a basement, and has added an attic and observatory. A 70-foot plumb line measures the distance from the flag pole to the ground. The building is finished in pressed brick and iron. A 10-foot veranda 95 feet in length fronts the Tennessee river, with an extension of 75 feet on Main street, making a total length of 170 feet. Large iron columns support this veranda and the balasters are of wrought iron. This veranda alone cost $1,500. From it one gets a magnificent view of the surrounding country, while a peep from the observatory enlarges the vision until on a clear day the country for many miles up and down the river is plainly visible. This hotel was build at a total cost of $20,000. Neither pains nor expense was spared to make it a model of its kind. Every department was carefully supervised and contructed under the immediate direction of the most competent craftsmen and artists in their respective lines. W. F. Hartman was the architect and forman. T. Wyche did the painting and graining. Herman Stoermer and son Fred did the brick work. J. W. Spain looked after the plastering and frescoeing. All of these parties, with the exception of Mr. Wyche, are from Evansville, Ind., and their work stands as an enduring monument to their skill. The hotel is furnished throughout in hard woods, oak being the predominating wood. There are twenty rooms in all. The first floor is given over to the lobby, dining room, reception room and living rooms. On the second floor are the parlors, guest rooms and bath rooms. A beautifully decorated bridal chamber opens off from the ladies parlor. This parlor is magnificently furnished in upholstered leather, and a bay window retreat furnishes a cozy corner for tete`-a-tetes. Just across the hall are two other Stoconnecting rooms of corresponding size, and the combination furnishes accommodations for the entertainment of a large party. In the spacious basement is the culinary department, we cannot penetrate its mysteries but a peep into its interior gives the masculine mind visions of substantials and delicacies for the inner man that set at rest any forebodings on this score. This department is furnished with every modern appliance for up-to-date cookery. The entire building is occupied by the hotel proper with the exception of the two store rooms, 25×85 feet each. The block is one of the most attractive in this section and is a source of much pride to our citizens. The hotel is steam heated, the plant being installed by the Grolette Mfg. Co., of Evansville. It is also thoroughly wired for electricity. It had been Mr. Russ’ for the first year. The first of this week they left for Lexington to take charge of Deason Springs, and are succeeded here by Mr. B. J. Stockard and his daughter Mrs. Frank Evans. Mr. Stockard is himself and ex-drummer and will understand thoroughly the art of entertaining the traveling public. He is widely known and his popular and affable nature cannot fail to add new prestige to this delightful inn. Mrs. Evans will superintend the culinary department and look after the social atmosphere, and in her skillful and artistic hands we predict that the Hotel Russ will become a center of attraction for the hungry, both of body and soul.

Submitted by Margaret Nolen Nichol