Oxford English Dictionary

On May 30, 1924 the first cornerstone was laid. Thirteen months later in June 1925, the $1.5 million Poinsett Hotel opened. The 12 story hotel was built to provide much needed rooms for visitors to Greenville’s annual Southern Textile Exposition. In 1930, during the Great Depression and with the 200 room hotel deeply in debt, Mason Alexander began his 30 year career as manager. Under Alexander’s guidance, the Poinsett not only became a financial success, charging $3 a day even during the Depression, it became one the South’s best hotels. In 1946, the Poinsett was bought by the Jack Tar hotel chain and was named the best mid-sized hotel in the United States. The Jack Parr Poinsett prospered through the 1950s and the 1960s, but was in decline by the 1970s. It was sold, the furnishings were auctioned, and the building was renovated. However, the Poinsett was forced to close in 1975. Two years later under new management, the hotel reopened as a residential home for senior citizens. California developers bought the building for $3 million in the 1980s, and it was condemned in 1987. For 13 years the old hotel sat vacant until it reopened in 2000, after $19 million in renovations.

Directions:
Depart from Heritage Green Place turning left onto Buncombe Street. Turn right at the third traffic light onto Main Street. The hotel will be several blocks down Main Street on the right.

• Bainbridge, Judith.  “Poinsett’s Rebirth Recalls Its History.” The Greenville News, 4 October 2000: 1 (City People).
• The Greenville News. 21 June, 1925.