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[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Hotel Monterey Guest Register, 1911-1913, SC 0386, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.
Purchased from Black Swan Books in August 2024.
The Hotel Monterey (variously known as Monterey Hotel and more currently the Highland Inn) was built in 1904 as a resort hotel in Monterey, Virginia, the seat of Highland County. The three-story Hotel Monterey was opened by Silas W. Crummett (1858-1914) of Staunton and built by the Eutsler Brothers of Grottoes. In addition to John Philip Sousa, whose visit is documented in this guest register, other well-known guests said to have stayed at the hotel include Erwin Rommel, Henry Ford, and Harvey Firestone. Currently known as the Highland Inn, the hotel is located at 68 W. Main St. in Monterey.
The register spans from October 19, 1911 to September 25, 1913 and includes names of individuals who stayed at the Hotel Monterey, their home residence, their room number, and the make of their automobile, if applicable. Makes of cars listed include Buick, Cadillac, Peerless, Apperson, Locomobile, Packard, Hudson, American Traveler, Ford, Mitchell, Detroiter, Lozier, and others.
Some guests traveled with chauffeurs or drivers who are typically not identified by name.
Of interest is John Philip Sousa's stay at the Hotel Monterey. Sousa, a conductor and composer known for his American military marches, is listed in the guest register on April 8, 1913 along with [Oliver] R. Smith of Hot Springs, Virginia. Sousa traveled by horseback and, in addition to Smith, was accompanied by two unidentified Black men who were likely in Sousa's employ. Per a local news article, Sousa was traveling through Highland County to Washington, D.C.
A business card belonging to J. Buhrman Larrick, a police officer with the Metropolitan (Washington) Police Department, is loose inside the register.