Pine Bluff

As much as I like taking photos of abandoned buildings, it looks like at some point, there will be less in Pine Bluff as more are being rehabilitated — and that’s a good thing. Looking forward to seeing the changes ahead for Pine Bluff.

Back to the Pines

You can see how much more the building in decaying in this photo.

You can see part of the ventilation system in the ceiling.

One of the very few light shades left in the building.

Most of the fixtures have been removed.

During a recent trip back to The Pines, I was dismayed to see how vandals were destroying the lobby. Apparently, people are trying to steal the marble that lines the walls.

It was a cold rainy day and there were big puddles of water in the lobby floor from the damaged skylight overhead.  You can see in the first few photos where moss is growing. Upstairs in some of the rooms there was ice from where water had leaked from the ceiling.

Last time we were here, the building down the street was a pile of rubble. That has been cleaned up, but now there are orange barrels around the building across the street . Further down, the street is still closed off from when a part of a building collapsed.

I’m sure it’s only a matter of time, before The Pines is surrounded in orange Barrels.

Arkansas Hotel Series, The Pines, Pine Bluff, Arkansas

I was thrilled to be allowed to tag along with a photography group that had permission to photograph this historic hotel. The encylopedia of Arkansas explains, “When it opened, the Hotel Pines was regarded as one of the finest hotels in Arkansas. Located near the Union Station, the hotel offered porter service to carry baggage to and from the station. It also was the location of society balls and dances, banquets, and business and civic meetings.”

A door leading to a work area.

What’s left of a gift shop at the front of the hotel.

Another view of the Venetian room.

A view of the Venetian Room, one of the rooms off the Mezzanine.

The afternoon sun shines through a window into a guest room.

A fire extinguisher left ina a guest room.

One of the guest rooms.

One of the rooms off the mezzanine used for business, parties, etc.

One of the shops at the front of the hotel.

The ballroom.

Abstract texture

The laundry

Various doors, windows, etc., left in one of the guest rooms.

The columns and ceiling under the walkway in front of the hotel.

The afternoon sun comes into one of the guest rooms.

One of the corner suites of the hotel.

The view from the Mezzanine to the Lobby.

Decay on the Mezzanine.

Layers of paint, paper and stenciling.

One of the rooms on the mezzanine used as a meeting space or party room.

One of the corner suites of the hotel.

http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=1189

Arkansas Hotel Series – Riceland Hotel, Stuttgart, Ark.

According to the Arkansas Preservation website, the Riceland Hotel was built in 1929 and was “the hub of duck hunting in Stuttgart, a place where all of the guides would meet. Many celebrities stayed in the Riceland Hotel while engaging in the hunt including: actors Andy Devine, Wallace Bery, Robert Taylor and Rod Cameron; baseball player Ted Williams; publishing giants Joseph Pulitzer, Ray Long, Jim Quirrk; cartoonist Bud Fisher; industry leaders Cluett of Cluett-Peabody, and New York Jeweler Piere Cartier.”

Sink in the Corner of the Coffee Shop.

Bathroom’s in the suites are a bit more fancy than the rest of the rooms.

Built-ins in one of the guest rooms.

Cosmetics left behind in one of the larger guest rooms.

Part of the elevator works.

One of the suites.

Part of the Elevator works.

Typical bathroom.

Part of the elevator works

Another typical guest bathroom.

The Cafe.

A sink in the hallway.

Broken windows in the hallway.

The top floors are a little more decayed than the rest.

Guest mailboxes in the lobby.

Many of the rooms have built in desks and drawers.

The elevator in the hotel lobby.

http://www.arkansaspreservation.com/historic-properties/_search_nomination_popup.aspx?id=2341