Tellico Plains in Monroe County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Tellico Tales: The Old Hotel
Photographed by Tom Bosse, November 22, 2024
1. Tellico Tales: The Old Hotel Marker
Inscription.
While this building has had many titles, the heart of it has remained the same. For over 100 years it has provided a place for workers, residents, and tourists to reside. Constructed in 1916 by the Babcock brothers in honor of their mother, Harriet Vose Babcock; they called it Mothers Home. When that name faded away, it was only fitting to be called the Babcock Hotel. This building was intended to be a work home for the employees of Babcock Lumber Co. G.W. (Pop) and Paulina Munz purchased the hotel in 1927, thus changing the name to Munz Hotel. The couple was born in Germany and moved to the United States where they lived in New Orleans, L.A. There, Mr. Munz worked as a chef. A chef owning a bed & breakfast lead to great things. They moved to Tellico in the late 1910s early 20s where he operated the hotel before purchasing it. Stories from the locals talk about how he would cook elaborate meals for the guest, and to this day the original cast iron stove is still in the building. In 1922 Tellico Plains High School seniors held their class dinner in the backroom of the Munz Hotel. Though Pop passed away in 1948, his
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family kept the hotel in business until 1975 when it was purchased by Ferd and Sina Cole. It remained in business until the early 2000s. Inside the building much of the original furniture is still in place. In total there are 12 guest rooms and 2 bathrooms in the upstairs hall. With original and antique charm pouring from its boards, this building holds much love from Tellico. Under operation of the Coles, sometimes its doors would be opened for a Christmas open house, and it truly gave visitors a chance to stop back in time. As you walk past conversations you might hear of someone talking about, The old Hotel and how their relatives would stay there when they came to visit. Maybe youll hear about how they picked up an antique plate from a porch sale held on its floorboards. For decades this building has left a piece of itself with every visitor and continues to do so even to this day.
Project Leader: Hannah Morris Project Assistants: Merritt Sherrer & Isabella Wilson Project Advisor: Sheann Graham Constructor: Thomas Graham Constructor Assistant: Kolton Stakely.
Sponsored by: The Cole Family
Topics. This historical
Photographed by Tom Bosse, November 22, 2024
2. Tellico Tales: The Old Hotel Marker
marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1916.
Location. 35° 21.825′ N, 84° 17.746′ W. Marker is in Tellico Plains, Tennessee, in Monroe County. It is at the intersection of Veterans Memorial Drive and Babcock Street, on the left when traveling east on Veterans Memorial Drive. Marker is located outside the Tellico Plains Inn. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 503 Veterans Memorial Drive, Tellico Plains TN 37385, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in East Tennessee. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Tellico Tales: Sweet Shop (within shouting distance
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Tellico Tales
Credits. This page was last revised on December 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 28, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 395 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on November 28, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
