Homer in Claiborne Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)

Hotel Claiborne

Photographed by Wesley Harris

1. Hotel Claiborne Marker

Inscription.

Hotel Claiborne
The Maritzky Building for the Arts, 1890-1984
Home of Herbert S. Ford Memorial Museum
Placed by the Louisiana Society Colonial Dames XVII Century

Erected by Louisiana Society Colonial Dames XVII Century.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the The Colonial Dames XVII Century, National Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1890.

Location. 32° 47.465′ N, 93° 3.319′ W. Marker is in Homer, Louisiana, in Claiborne Parish. It is at the intersection of U.S. 79 and West Main Street, on the right when traveling east on U.S. 79. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 519 South Main Street, Homer LA 71040, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Louisiana.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Piney Woods.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Parish Courthouse (here, next to this marker); Claiborne Parish War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Claiborne Parish Court House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Homer College (CME) / African American Education in Louisiana (approx. 1.6 miles away); T. H. Harris

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(approx. 5.3 miles away); Arizona Methodist Church (approx. 5.7 miles away); Arizona Academy Site (approx. 5.7 miles away); Lebanon Church (approx. 5.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Homer.

More about this marker. The marker is displayed on the front of the Herbert S. Ford Memorial Museum, which is housed in the old Hotel Claiborne building constructed in 1890. Museum is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10:00 am – 3:00 pm — Tuesday and Thursday by appointment only.

Also see . . .
1. The Herbert S. Ford Memorial Museum. Website homepage:

When Captain Herbert S. Ford returned home from World War One, he brought a few reminders from the “War to End All Wars” to show his family and friends. These items, and others obtained from the War Department, were destined to become the nucleus of the collection that would grow into today’s Herbert S. Ford Memorial Museum. When Mr. Ford died in 1960, his family donated his collection to the Town of Homer and his museum, now named the Herbert S. Ford Memorial Museum, was moved to the old Claiborne Creamery building on North Second Street.

New quarters for the Museum became available in 1982, with
Photographed by Wesley Harris, June 11, 2024

2. Hotel Claiborne Marker
the completion of the adaptive restoration of the old Hotel Claiborne building on Homer’s town square. The historic building, known locally as the “Maritzky Building,” had been donated to the Town of Homer by Dorace Maritzky Fichtenbaum to be designated, “The Maritzky Building for the Arts.” Funds for its restoration were provided in part by a Federal Urban Development Action Grant (UDAG) awarded to the Town of Homer. Other portions of the grant monies were applied to making improvements to Homer’s historic downtown square.

(Submitted on July 12, 2024.)

2. Homer Historic District. Wikipedia entry:
Links to National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form
"Contributing element. Hotel Claiborne (Maritsky Building). 1890 two story brick Italianate commercial building with original cast-iron gallery downstairs and very elaborate decorative pressed metal front upstairs." (Submitted on July 12, 2024.)

Window Exhibits at the Herbert S. Ford Museum in the Hotel Claiborne image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Wesley Harris, June 11, 2024

3. Window Exhibits at the Herbert S. Ford Museum in the Hotel Claiborne

Credits. This page was last revised on July 13, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 11, 2024, by Wesley Harris of Ruston, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 362 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 11, 2024, by Wesley Harris of Ruston, Louisiana. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.