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WE SELL BULLOCK COUNTY TO THE WORLD!

CHECK OUT OUR NEW BLOGSPOT FULL OF HISTORY AND GREAT INSIGHTS

OUR JOSEPHINE, daughter of Dr. Samuel Cowan and belowed wife of Dr. Robert A. Fleming. Opened in September of 1880 and described by the Montgomery Advertiser as:

24 rooms,all newly-furnished with Garden and Elevator attached. "The Josephine Hotel is, undoubtedly, "a thing of beauty," and as such is justly regarded as one of the "lions" of Union Springs. The hotel was erected by the owner, Dr. R. A. Fleming, as a tribute to the many virtues of his accomplished wife, and is called the Josephine in her honor. The building is three stories in height and is furnished with the modern conveniences of an elevator and water-works, the water supply being obtained from a reservoir in the rear of the hotel. The outside appearance of the Josephine is pleasing and is an ornament to Prairie Street, almost equal to our magnificent courthouse; but the visitor on entering will be more impressed by the beauty and convenience of the interior. The rooms are commodious and the peculiarities of our Southern climate are met by the lofty ceilings and transoms. For the convenience of regular boarders with families several splendid suites of rooms have been arranged that will compare favorably with those of Metropolitan hotels. The interior is tastefully furnished with trimmings of walnut and native heart pine. The contrast between the dark walnut and the bright hues of the varnished pine is pleasing in the extreme, and gives us a good idea of the value of the latter as a decorative wood. The three storerooms have been rented, and by the first of September Union Springs will have three new business firms and a splendid hotel to add to her prosperity.

The “Josephine Hotel” was built in 1880 by Dr. Fleming who

named it for his wife. The hotel was known as one of the

nicest in the State of Alabama at the time it was built. It has housed

several businesses over the years on its main floor which included

the hotel lobby, a restaurant, Jinks Saloon, and several

Mercantile shops. It has 32 rooms on the 2nd and 3rd floors

which were in use until the 1970‘s. Once renovated the

“Josephine Arts Center &Museum” will occupy this

17,000 sq. ft building in downtown Union Springs.

Initially three (3) people will be featured in the museum who grew

up in Union Springs - then left to become successful in the arts.

Lucy Feagin (Feagin School of Drama & Radio - New York);

Ben Edwards (Screen set designer - New York) and

Helen Claire Rosenstihl (Actress & Radio figure).

All three are now buried here at Oak Hill Cemetery.

There are plans for a sandwich shoppe w/ meeting rooms,

Ice Cream Parlor, Art Gallery, Museum, Art business Incubators

and 8 Historic Hotel rooms when the project is complete.