Donoho Hotel

Macon County, Tennessee's Donoho Hotel was constructed in 1916 to accommodate the community of Red Boiling Springs and their rising tourism. The hotel was built during the mineral springs resort boom of the early 19th century. The building is one of the last surviving examples of a primarily frame construction hotel with a two story veranda. The "Donoho" name comes from the hotel's founder Squire Donoho. The first hotel he built burned, and the current structure was built by his son in law Brady Chitwood. The new structure could house 128 guests. A large variety of mineral waters were available to guests staying at the Donoho. These waters were valuable due to their apparent healing power. Salt Lick Creek runs through the property. This creek was believed by many to have contained the "healing" mineral water. The Donoho family operated the hotel until 1955. From 1955 to the present the hotel has had a series of owners. The historic hotel is not the only historic building on the property, as there is an historic home, and a "stand alone" fruit cellar. Even with the decline of the mineral water industry, the Donoho hotel has been a Red Boiling Springs and Upper Cumberland landmark since its 1916 construction. On September 11, 1986 the Donoho Hotel was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

At Moore Historical Consulting my #1 priority is historic preservation. Do you own a historic home, commercial building, or farm? If so contact me today to learn more about the historic preservation strategies I offer. These include nominations to the National Register of Historic Places, nominations for a Permanent Conservation Easement, nominations to the Century Farms program, and writing text for historic makers. At Moore Historical Consulting I make exploring and preserving your past fun and easy.