The majestic Crescent Hotel is the Queen of all the elegant old hotels in Eureka Springs. It sits on top of the highest hill in town, and still looks like the awesome reminder of a bygone era that it is. People go to look at it and visit inside, as much as they do to stay there in one of the fine rooms. I got to stay in a room there once with my Mom on the fourth floor, where I could look out the window and see the whole town of Eureka spead out below in the trees. I was right up there in the air with the birds! Yes, I am a cat. And the Crescent welcomed cats to the rooms when I was there. You see, in those days, the true owner of the hotel was a cat.




This is Morris, who lived all his life in the Crescent. Owners came and went, but Morris was part of the hotel; he belonged there. He was very well cared for, very loved, and quite famous. People came from all over the country just to visit Morris! When I met him, he was quite old and did not feel like meowing much, but he was a perfect gentleman just the same. Morris crossed Rainbow Bridge soon after that. He was almost 20 years old. There is a small flower garden for him at his grave in back of the hotel, with a lovely marker. People still come from all over to pay their respects to his memory.

The Crescent hotel was built in 1886, so it has had quite a remarkable history. It has been been restored several times. There is a huge ballroom on the main floor, called the Crystal Dining Room. All through the hotel you see elegant red carpeting and antique furniture. But there have been times in its past when it was not so. Early in the 20th century the hotel was used as a home for troubled young girls. It was even used for a hospital at one time. There are many stories told about ghosts who haunt the halls of the Crescent. I didn't see the ghosts, but many humans have seen or heard them.

The Crescent is such a fascinating and beautiful place! I was really privileged to get to stay there for a few days!