Coleman Hotel

The People Behind the Coleman Hotel

The Coleman Hotel was one of the grandest buildings of its time in this area of the South. However, arguably, one of the hotel’s most fascinating aspects is not the building itself but rather the couple who funded the hotel and its namesake.

Judge Frank Mitchell and his wife, Mrs. Luck Gambrell, were influential and active citizens of Swainsboro. The couple, specifically Mrs. Mitchell, donated a great deal of land for the sites of many buildings, including the old post office building, the First United Methodist Church, the Swainsboro Flour Mill, and Swainsboro High School as well as the football field. However, one of her most significant accomplishments was building the John C. Coleman Hotel alongside her husband, Judge Frank Mitchell.

Judge Frank Mitchell was a significant figure in Swainsboro during the early 1900s. He was Vice President of the Citizens Bank of Swainsboro, a member of the state legislature, and a solicitor. Later, he became a judge for the city court of Swainsboro and a chairman for both the board of trustees for Swainsboro High School and the Board of Roads and Revenues. Judge Frank Mitchell earned his law degree from the University of Georgia, graduating with honors. After marrying Miss Luck Coleman, he became mayor of Swainsboro. Despite all the prestigious titles he held and the many honors he received, the John C. Coleman Hotel was his pride.

The Coleman Hotel was named after Mrs. Luck Mitchell’s late father, John C. Coleman. However, that name was selected through a contest rather than chosen by the builders themselves. The contest was open to all citizens of Swainsboro, with each person in a family allowed to suggest only one name. The winning suggestions also received prizes: $10 for first place and $5 for second and third places. Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Flanders and their family were not allowed to participate, and Mrs. Luck Mitchell served as the judge. On August 7, 1935, the winners were announced. First place went to Mr. L. S. Proctor for the accepted name “Hotel John C. Coleman,” in honor of her late father. Second place was awarded to Sam Woods Jr. for the name “Swainsboro Hotel,” and third place went to Miss Ada Walden for the suggested name “Hotel Emanuel.”

Mr. John C. Coleman was a prominent citizen of Swainsboro who accomplished many extraordinary things in his lifetime. During the Civil War, he temporarily lost his sight. Once he regained it, he walked back home to Emanuel County. Mr. Coleman also owned 30,000 acres of land. He served as the clerk of superior court of Emanuel County, a judge, and the county commission chairman. Mr. Coleman was also an immensely successful businessman. Before the John C. Coleman Hotel, he owned a small store on the land that would later house the hotel named in his honor. Even though Mr. John C. Coleman had no part in the hotel’s conception or construction, he was as influential as Judge and Mrs. Frank Mitchell in shaping Swainsboro’s legacy.

Construction and Layout

Just as the new year began in 1935, so did plans for the Coleman Hotel in downtown Swainsboro. Judge Frank Mitchell remarked in an interview that January, "No stone will be left unturned." His goal was to create a thoroughly modern and convenient hotel, which is why he dedicated so much time to planning before construction began. By May 1935, the plans were finalized, and the drawings had been produced.

The architect of the John C. Coleman Hotel, Willis Irvin, was a prolific and accomplished designer from Augusta. He was responsible for numerous institutional, commercial, and residential structures, as well as courthouses, in the early 20th century. Bobby Jones even sought Irvin to design a new clubhouse at Augusta National, though that building was never constructed. Having such a highly decorated architect design the Coleman Hotel was not only a significant accomplishment for the Mitchells but also for Swainsboro as a whole.

In August 1935, work began by clearing the lot of an old wooden structure that had belonged to Mr. John C. Coleman himself. This building, a mercantile establishment, had served as his business headquarters for many years until he replaced it with a sturdier brick building near the courthouse. Before its removal, the wooden structure had been home to the White House Café and was one of the oldest landmarks in Swainsboro. During the clearing process, many Swainsboro citizens gathered to watch, fascinated by the anticipation of the hotel’s construction.

Once building began, it became clear that Judge Mitchell had indeed spent considerable time planning every detail of the hotel. A 35-foot-wide driveway connected Route 1 to Route 80, offering ample parking for guests. The hotel also featured three entrances for easy access: one from Route 1, one from Route 80, and one from the driveway. Strategically located at the junction of Federal Route 1 (stretching north and east to Florida) and Federal Route 80 (connecting Savannah, Macon, Columbus, and Atlanta), the hotel’s placement ensured that nearly all travelers passing through Swainsboro would encounter one of its entrances.

The hotel’s basement housed several facilities, including a large rathskeller—a 50-by-30-foot beer hall or restaurant with a connecting ladies’ coatroom. The rathskeller had two entrances, one from Route 80 and another from the lobby. The basement also included storage areas for the hotel’s barbershop, a corner store, and general hotel use. Additional features in the basement included heating plants, showers for staff and public use, and a kitchen furnished by Wright of Atlanta.

The hotel’s lobby was a bustling L-shaped space that connected to various amenities. Patrons could check in at the lobby, access the rathskeller, visit the dining room, or enter the barbershop and beauty shop. Near the Route 1 entrance, a corner store (30 by 38 feet) also featured its own basement storage. Adjacent to this store was the barbershop, which remained in operation until 2023. Connected to the barbershop was a beauty parlor and a small store facing Route 1.

By July 1936, all but the larger store had been leased. The floors of the lobby, barbershop, beauty parlor, dining room, and rathskeller were made of terrazzo, while the lobby’s walls were wainscoted with pinkish Tennessee marble. The dining room, in contrast, embraced an early Colonial style with oak-paneled walls and maple furniture. Both spaces featured indirect lighting, Venetian blinds, and elegant drapes.

The Coleman Hotel also introduced modern conveniences unmatched in Swainsboro at the time. It boasted a first-class elevator, a Webster two-pipe heating system, and a Kewanee boiler. Each bedroom was equipped with a Hunter ceiling fan, a French-type telephone, and a Beautyrest mattress. All 63 rooms were outside rooms with closets, weather-stripped windows, and bronze metal screens. Of these, 54 rooms had private or connecting tiled bathrooms, with shower-baths as the predominant feature. Room rates varied based on bathroom access: $1.50 for rooms without a bathroom, $2.00 for shared bathrooms, and $2.50 for private bathrooms. Public bathrooms were available on each floor for rooms without private facilities.

Each floor also included maids’ closets, linen closets, and fully carpeted rooms and corridors. A spacious porch facing Route 80 became a favorite spot for guests to socialize and enjoy the warm Georgia weather. The hotel’s exterior, trimmed in limestone, was as attractive as it was practical, with fireproofing throughout. Originally planned as a four-level building, the hotel was expanded to five levels, including the basement, during construction.

Judge Frank Mitchell and Mrs. Luck Mitchell invested approximately $150,000 into the project, a significant sum reflecting their confidence in the hotel and in Swainsboro itself. Construction began in September 1935, and by December, progress was advancing steadily. In less than a year, the John C. Coleman Hotel would open as one of the most advanced and essential buildings in Swainsboro, showcasing the Mitchells’ commitment to leaving no stone unturned in creating a modern marvel for their city.

The Opening of the Coleman Hotel

By July 1936, the building was completed, and planning began for its grand opening. One of the most critical tasks before the hotel opened was hiring a manager. On Saturday, July 25, 1936, the John C. Coleman Hotel was leased to Mr. Collins Bird of Atlanta, an experienced hotel professional. Judge and Mrs. Mitchell hoped he would not only be competent in his role but excel in managing their highly anticipated project.

By July 30, 1936, many anticipated the hotel would open for business within 20 days, and on August 10, 1936, the John C. Coleman Hotel officially opened its doors. The hotel received excellent patronage from the outset. Local residents visited to admire the new building, while out-of-town guests came to appraise its modern amenities and elegant design.

The hotel’s first out-of-town guest was Mrs. Louis Dinkler, widow of the founder of the Dinkler Hotel system. She praised the Coleman Hotel, saying, "This is one of the finest hotels I have ever visited. It is most beautifully furnished." Other notable visitors included Mr. William G. Hastings, a member of the Georgia Hotel Men's Association, and Mr. James Page, manager of the Mayflower Hotel in Jacksonville. Both expressed glowing reviews of the new establishment, calling it a great asset for Swainsboro. Early patronage indicated that the public would support the hotel enough to make it both profitable for the owners and beneficial to the community.

After its soft opening on August 10, a more formal event was planned for Labor Day, September 7, 1936. Guests were encouraged to make reservations early to attend this momentous occasion. Mr. Collins Bird, Judge and Mrs. Mitchell, and the people of Swainsboro considered this event one of the most significant in their lives.

The festivities began with an informal luncheon at 1 PM for members of the Hotel Greeters Association of Georgia and their wives, held in the Rathskeller. Mr. Bird, the hotel manager and president of the association, hosted the luncheon with music provided by Graham Jackson and his orchestra from Atlanta. From 2 to 5 PM, the hotel was open for inspection, drawing hundreds of visitors from Swainsboro, Emanuel County, and beyond. Many called to congratulate the owners and manager while exploring the hotel’s impressive features.

At 7 PM, a "Welcome to Visitors" ceremony was held. Mr. I. L. Price served as master of ceremonies, while Judge and Mrs. Mitchell, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Flanders, Dr. and Mrs. George L. Smith, and Mr. and Mrs. Collins Bird formed the receiving line. Guests enjoyed an old-fashioned barbecue in the hotel parking lot, with Mr. Will McMillian overseeing the meal and live music performed by Harry Hearn’s Ansley Hotel Orchestra.

Additional highlights of the evening included the unveiling of a bronze tablet by Frank Mitchell Flanders and Luck Coleman Flanders, great-grandchildren of Judge John C. Coleman, in the hotel lobby. During the traditional innkeeper's ceremony, Mrs. W. H. Flanders, Judge Coleman’s granddaughter, symbolically threw away the key to the front door. Tributes were made to Willis Irvin, the hotel’s architect, and C. W. Guest, its contractor.

Several impromptu speeches were delivered, congratulating the Mitchells and the people of Swainsboro. Speakers included Dr. John Deloach, former superintendent of Swainsboro High School; Morris Slotin, former Swainsboro citizen and merchant in Savannah; Steve Stryon, secretary of the Georgia Hotel Association; and Colonel A. S. Bradley. Others who spoke included Dr. P. L. Watson, former mayor of Swainsboro; Honorable Leonard J. Rountree, former legislator and state senator; and Felix C. Williams, another former mayor of Swainsboro. In his tribute, Mr. Williams presented Mrs. Mitchell with eight sterling silver, gold-lined goblets and a silver tray as a token of appreciation. Mrs. Mitchell graciously thanked the citizens for their support, and Judge Mitchell expressed gratitude for the community’s encouragement during the hotel’s construction.

Following the ceremonies, guests enjoyed dancing in the Rathskeller to music by Harry Hearn’s Ansley Hotel Orchestra, with Graham Jackson’s orchestra providing entertainment in the Oak Dining Room.

The formal opening was a resounding success, attracting an outpouring of support from across the county, state, and nation. Telegrams of congratulations were sent from all over the country. Savannah businesses and citizens were particularly enthusiastic, presenting gifts like baskets of flowers from the Savannah Hotel and the DeSoto Hotel. Mr. Andy Smith, manager of the Savannah Hotel, and Mrs. Smith personally delivered a large, four-tiered cake, beautifully decorated and displayed on a lace-covered table in the lobby. Local businesses and residents also sent flowers, which adorned the hotel as part of the festive décor.

Mr. and Mrs. Hershel Jenkins of Savannah were the first to sign the guest book. Mr. Jenkins, editor of the Savannah Morning News, expressed his admiration for the hotel, lending significant credibility to the project. Many of Swainsboro’s former residents returned for the celebration, which commemorated the city’s progress and the Coleman Hotel’s place in its future. The grand opening festivities demonstrated the strong support and pride the community held for the hotel, marking it as a centerpiece of Swainsboro’s growth and success.

Hotel Staff and Stories

The early staff of the John C. Coleman Hotel ran the establishment with efficiency and dedication. The hotel’s manager, Mr. Collins Bird, brought years of experience in the hospitality industry to his role. Before his appointment, he served as assistant manager of the Ansley Hotel in Atlanta. At 34 years old, Mr. Bird was described as a hardworking, energetic man with an engaging personality, making him an excellent fit for both the hotel and Swainsboro.

Mrs. Bird, his wife, also came from a family deeply rooted in Georgia’s hotel industry. Her father, Mr. Cannon, managed the Henry Grady Hotel in Atlanta, while her brother-in-law, Mr. Brandon, oversaw the Piedmont Hotel, and her brother, Mr. Cannon, ran the Terminal Hotel, both in Atlanta. Judge and Mrs. Mitchell believed that the Birds’ extensive experience in hospitality made them ideal candidates to manage the new hotel. Mr. Bird was highly involved in his work, attending to every detail of the hotel’s operation.

Unfortunately, less than a year after assuming his role, Mr. Bird tragically passed away in a car accident. His untimely death led to a slight decline in the hotel’s operations.

Alongside Mr. Bird, the hotel’s assistant manager was Mr. Harold Coleman, a native of Tattnall County. Mr. Coleman brought significant experience from his work in hotels across the South, particularly in Savannah.

The room clerks, Mr. Charles Durden and Mr. Wilder Smith, were both Swainsboro natives from prominent local families. Having recently completed their college studies, the pair quickly became popular with guests and excelled in their positions.

The hotel’s steward, Mr. Anton Fluhr, was a German immigrant who trained in prestigious European hotels, adding an international touch to the hotel’s management team.

In line with modern business practices, the management employed Harworth & Harworth, Certified Public Accountants from New York, to install an advanced cost-finding and accounting system approved by the American Hotel Men’s Association. Mr. W. C. Smith, a member of the firm, spent several days at the hotel setting up the system and training the staff. He also performed periodic audits of the hotel’s books and supported Mr. Bird in the early days of operations.

In August 1936, Mr. John Champion of Atlanta joined the staff as a new assistant manager. Mr. Champion had extensive experience in the hospitality industry, having worked at the Biltmore Hotel in Atlanta and at various hotels in Aiken, South Carolina, and Atlanta.

By October 1936, another assistant manager, Mr. H. R. Cannon of Atlanta, joined the team. His role focused on purchasing food and ensuring exceptional dining room service. Mr. Cannon was Mrs. Bird’s brother and the son of the late H. R. Cannon Sr., a renowned hotelier who built and operated the Henry Grady Hotel in Atlanta. Mr. Cannon Jr. brought a wealth of experience, including managing a hotel in Gainesville for five years.

After Mr. Bird’s passing, the hotel went through a series of managers. During the 1940s, Earl H. Knight took over management, followed by Mr. G. David Hardy. Later, Anchos Hotels, Inc. acquired the lease, and Mr. Ray Maddox became the general manager. Maddox expressed his desire to make the Coleman Hotel “the center of all activities in the county” and hoped to integrate himself and his family into the Swainsboro community.

In the late 1940s, one of the hotel’s staff members was Mr. Desse Davis, a Swainsboro native. Hired by Annie Smith to wash dishes at the age of 12 or 14, Mr. Davis primarily worked in the basement, as African Americans were not permitted on the upper levels at the time. He recalled the dim and cramped workspace but also fondly remembered the vibrant social gatherings on the porch, where guests would smoke and converse after Sunday meals in the dining hall.

In 1952, Cedric Younger Von Rolleston was hired to help redecorate and revitalize the hotel. One of his tasks was painting the ceiling of the coffee shop with a pine tree design, incorporating ancient Byzantine and Arabic techniques.

The Coleman Hotel’s staff, drawn from diverse backgrounds, worked tirelessly to maintain its reputation as one of Swainsboro’s most iconic establishments.

Praise from Patrons

Since its opening in 1936, the Coleman Hotel was regarded as one of the most modern and beautiful hotels of its time in this region of the country. Visitors consistently praised the John C. Coleman Hotel, leaving glowing reviews of both the establishment and Swainsboro.

In late August 1936, Mr. Stephen Stryon, executive secretary of the Georgia Hotel Association, visited Swainsboro to plan the 1st and 8th Congressional District Hotel Men’s Association meeting, scheduled for September. During his stay, he lodged at the John C. Coleman Hotel and was highly impressed. Mr. Stryon stated, “As a guest of the new John C. Coleman Hotel, I can say Swainsboro has one of the finest hotels in Georgia. I feel sure that the public will support it and make it a great success. It is a great asset to your town.”

In October 1936, Mr. Lawrence J. Piper, assistant manager of the Hotel Clinton in New York, and his wife were guests at the hotel. Once again, the Coleman Hotel earned high praise, with Mr. Piper remarking on the quality of the hotel and the vitality of Swainsboro. He even declared, “We are out of the depression, no doubt.”

That same month, Mr. Eugene Anderson, associate manager of The Macon Telegraph and News, visited Swainsboro to experience the growing town and its celebrated new hotel. So impressed was Mr. Anderson with the Coleman Hotel that he told a Forest-Blade representative he intended to write a column about Swainsboro, recommending readers visit the John C. Coleman Hotel.

Another well-traveled guest of note was Miss Phillips, also known as Lillian Duval in New York. She paid tribute to the hotel, stating that it was one of the finest she had stayed in, comparing it favorably to prominent hotels in larger cities.

The Coleman Hotel also became a popular destination for hunters from the North who traveled south for the region’s excellent hunting grounds. To cater to this clientele, the hotel offered special accommodations, including hunting guides and well-trained dogs. It also printed brochures with the dates of various hunting seasons, allowing guests to plan their trips around the type of game they sought.

Life Inside the Coleman Hotel

The John C. Coleman Hotel was more than just a place to stay. It was a hub of activity, housing county offices, community organizations, restaurants, and a variety of businesses.

Official offices first moved into the Coleman Hotel in November 1938 after a fire destroyed the courthouse. The county school superintendent was among the first to relocate there while plans for a new courthouse were underway. Over the years, numerous county government offices followed, including the Swainsboro City Office, probate court, the juvenile services office, and various probation offices. Though there was a proposal to move city hall to the hotel, this plan never came to fruition. Community-based organizations like the Emanuel County Extension for the 4-H Club, the local March of Dimes office, and the Emanuel County Red Cross also operated out of the hotel. The Georgia Division of Family and Children Services maintained offices there until moving to its own facility, and even East Georgia College (now East Georgia State College) began its administrative operations in the Coleman Hotel.

The Kiwanis Club was one of the earliest supporters of the hotel, frequently hosting events, meetings, and conferences there. Before the hotel’s formal opening, the Swainsboro Kiwanis Club held Ladies’ Night in the Rathskeller, a tradition they continued for many years. The club regularly organized quail dinners, musical performances, and receptions in the hotel’s event spaces, making it a central gathering place for civic and social functions.

The Coleman Hotel’s restaurants were equally beloved by the community. The main dining room earned a reputation for its fresh ingredients, reasonable prices, and special Sunday dinners, which initially cost just 75 cents. The dining room also served holiday meals like Thanksgiving dinners for $1. Patrons often praised the chef, who previously worked at the Biltmore Hotel in Atlanta. A smaller restaurant, known as the Coffee Shop, provided additional dining options and frequently advertised its festive meals in local newspapers.

Beyond dining and lodging, the Coleman Hotel hosted a wide range of businesses and services. The barbershop, opened before the hotel itself, remained a community staple for decades. First operated by Mr. Wiley Powell, Mr. Dennis Rich took over in 1962 and continued providing cuts for men and women for six more decades until he passed away. The Rathskeller, a basement beer hall and dance venue, opened nightly from 5 PM to midnight, serving as both a social hotspot and event space.

Several retail and professional businesses also called the Coleman Hotel home. Miss Louise Moore’s dance studio, which opened in 1936, offered lessons in ballet, tap, pointe, and ballroom dancing. Walden Electric Company sold radios and kitchen appliances while Miller and Walden General Contractors specialized in floor and wall tile installation. Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph Company opened an office in the hotel in 1938, and Georgia Power followed in 1941 with a formal celebration marking its arrival.

Other businesses included a liquor store adjoining the Rathskeller, a men’s clothing store, and Jones Roofing and Supply Company. The Coleman Hotel truly served as a vibrant hub for Swainsboro, offering a blend of services, entertainment, and community engagement that contributed to the town’s growth and development.

Events at The Coleman

The Coleman Hotel was a popular venue for meetings, conferences, conventions, and a variety of personal events such as bridal showers and rehearsal dinners. Even when the hotel itself was not the primary site for a convention or meeting, many visitors, travelers, and tourists stopped at the hotel on their way to other event locations.

In 1937, the Home Economics teachers of southeast Georgia hosted a three-day conference at the John C. Coleman Hotel. That same year, the First District Press Association held its spring meeting at the hotel, which was considered one of the largest and most successful district press meetings in years. The Garden Club of Swainsboro also hosted its first meeting at the Coleman Hotel after being disbanded for many years, and it continued to meet there regularly. Swainsboro welcomed more than 200 guests during the same week as conventions for Georgia postal clerks and the woman’s auxiliary. The Georgia Association of Federal Route 1, E. Charles Sharp (the state organizer for the Retail Beer and Wine Dealers of Georgia), and the Dental Societies of the 5th and 12th districts also held significant meetings at the Coleman Hotel in its first year of operation. By the end of 1937, the hotel had become one of the most popular venues in the area, thanks to its modern conveniences and central location.

In January 1938, Mayor Frank Mitchell hosted a dinner at the Coleman Hotel to showcase the building to the city council and other Swainsboro officials. Guests praised both Mayor Mitchell’s hospitality and the hotel’s beauty. Later that summer, the third regional meeting of a five-day refresher course in children’s dentistry and the annual convention of the Georgia Chapter of the National Postmasters Association were held at the hotel. Additional events included a meeting and luncheon for the Women’s Division of the Georgia for Senator Clubs of the First Congressional District to promote Walter F. George’s senatorial campaign, the Middle Circuit Bar Association’s annual meeting, and a Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York gathering. The American Legion also held a significant meeting in the Rathskeller during this time.

The year 1939 was another busy one for the Coleman Hotel. The Southern Fire and Marine Insurance Company hosted a large meeting in the dining room, and later that year, the Emanuel County Post of the American Legion held its officer installation ceremony in the Rathskeller. The National Youth Administration of Savannah also hosted a two-day conference at the hotel in October.

In 1940, the U.S. No. 1 Highway Association met at the Coleman Hotel to discuss raising public awareness about the highway’s importance. However, by 1941, the Coleman Hotel’s prominence as a meeting place began to wane, with many groups opting to use the newly-built community house instead. While the Coleman Hotel occasionally hosted gatherings such as meetings for the Lions Club, Rotary Club, Kiwanis Club, 4-H Club, Ladies Home Demonstration Club, and the Garden Club, its use for large-scale events declined.

In November 1957, Sunday Mass was held at the Coleman Hotel as no Catholic churches were available in the area at the time.

One of the most notable meetings held at the hotel after its official closure was in the Rathskeller during the late 1960s or early 1970s. The meeting, which sought support from Emanuel County residents, focused on the proposal for a new college in the area.

Even after its decline and closure, the Coleman Hotel remained a favored venue for personal celebrations, hosting bridal showers, rehearsal dinners, bridal luncheons, and receptions honoring special guests and events.

The Almost-Nursing Home and Eventual Closure of the Coleman Hotel

The Coleman Hotel had anchored the intersection of U.S. 1 and U.S. 80 since the mid-1930s. For years, it stood unrivaled outside of major cities, regarded as the finest hotel in southeast Georgia. However, as the decades passed, downtown hotels across the country began losing business to motels on the outskirts of town. In its later years, the Coleman Hotel relied heavily on out-of-state hunters who returned annually to enjoy the region’s excellent upland game reserves. Despite this loyal clientele, the business was not enough to sustain the hotel.

In November 1963, the hotel’s owner, Frank Flanders, announced plans to convert the Coleman Hotel into a nursing home, a proposal that shocked many in Emanuel County. Remodeling for the nursing home was scheduled to begin shortly after the start of 1964, with the hotel closing to accommodate the work. The proposed nursing home was planned to include a 63-bed capacity, recreational facilities, and a staff of registered nurses, practitioner nurses, administrative personnel, and a physician. Planned modifications to the building included a larger elevator, widened doorways, added fire escapes, and the installation of advanced fire alarm systems. Flanders stated that he had been working closely with the State Department of Health and other government agencies to determine the necessary changes for the conversion.

While these plans were underway, it was decided that businesses operating within the hotel—such as Georgia Power, the telephone office, and the barbershop—would remain in operation. However, by 1964, Flanders announced that unforeseen difficulties in meeting state health department requirements had forced the cancellation of the nursing home project. The Coleman Hotel continued operating as a hotel, with plans for extensive remodeling of its facilities instead.

Unfortunately, these efforts were not enough to revitalize the business. In July 1965, the Coleman Hotel officially closed its doors. At the time, Flanders indicated he was considering several “propositions” for converting the building to other uses.

After the closure, the hotel sat vacant for a period, with only a few businesses continuing to operate on the bottom floor. In August 1974, Emanuel County purchased the building from Citizens Bank for $75,000. Significant renovations were required to make the structure safe and functional for office use. The task proved more challenging than anticipated, as the attic and upper floors had become home to various animals and sustained extensive water damage over the years.

The Coleman: Today and Tomorrow

The John C. Coleman Hotel no longer operates as a hotel but has transitioned into a central hub for Emanuel County’s administrative offices. The building currently houses the Emanuel County Commissioners Office, which serves as the legislative body for the county. The five elected commissioners maintain part-time offices here, while full-time staff, including the County Administrator, Guy Singletary, the County Clerk, the Finance Department, Human Resources, and the Building Inspection and Code Enforcement Department, also operate out of the Coleman Hotel. These offices frequently collaborate with other key county entities, such as the Clerk of Court, Sheriff’s Office, Probate Office, Magistrate Court, Tax Assessor, and Tax Commissioner.

In November 2020, the Magistrate Court, which had been located in the Coleman Hotel for decades, relocated to the Emanuel County Courthouse after the completion of courthouse renovations. Its vacated space was repurposed for the Building Inspection and Code Enforcement Department.

The first floor of the Coleman Hotel also includes the historic barbershop, which continues to operate, along with additional office space at the rear. The County Commissioner Board Room, formerly the hotel’s dining room, is also located on this floor.

The building’s second floor is home to the District Attorney’s Office, while the third and fourth floors, which were once used as office space, are currently vacant and unused.

Despite its transition away from hospitality, the Coleman Hotel remains a cornerstone of the county’s operations, and plans are in motion to restore it to some of its former grandeur. In 2023, the county commissioners approved a $10 million renovation project to modernize the four-story, 35,000-square-foot building while preserving its historic significance.

When completed, the restored Coleman Hotel will serve as a state-of-the-art government facility, featuring new amenities such as a records retention area, a modern board room for the commissioners, conference rooms, training spaces, and upgraded offices. It will also house several key departments, including the Emanuel County Extension/4-H program, the Sheriff’s Investigators, Building Inspection and Code Enforcement, the Coroner, and teams for Finance, Human Resources, and Information Technology.

The renovation process began with the building’s full evacuation in June 2023, followed by abatement and demolition. Construction is expected to be completed by March 2026, marking the next chapter in the Coleman Hotel’s legacy as a vital part of Emanuel County’s history and future.