During its long and storied existence, the celebrated Elms Resort and Spa has nurtured a rich and vibrant history. The Elms has not only established itself a sought-after destination for over 100 years but a true survivor against all odds.
The story of The Elms began with the discovery of healing mineral waters in Excelsior Springs in the 1880s. Once the rest of the country heard of the springs and their medicinal properties, thousands visited the sleepy little valley to partake of them. They pitched tents and built boarding houses as the springs were marketed as a health resort. Soon, the first and grandest of hotels was built. This grand hotel enchanted all visitors with its combination of elegance and warmth. Guests could soak in mineral water baths or soak up the sun in the lush gardens. There were exquisite parties and grand balls. Eventually The Elms, along with the springs, became one of the most desired destinations in the country.
Sadly it all ended on May 9, 1898. A horrible fire burned the wooden structure to the ground. Thankfully there were no fatalities or injuries. While the devastating fire destroyed a structure, it awakened an indomitable spirit in the townspeople of Excelsior Springs. That spirit was a guiding light in making vast improvements in the town. By 1908 a second Elms hotel was being built. By this time, the mineral spring waters were being sold worldwide and gaining international attention. Despite heavy rains and flooding during construction, the second Elms opened July 31, 1909. The new resort attracted guests by train from all over the country and the hotel reveled in its restored glory. Astoundingly, the joy was stolen by another destructive fire on October 30, 1910.
Three short months later, however, plans for the third incarnation of The Elms were complete. On September 7, 1912, The Elms opened the third and current hotel. Constructed of native limestone and boasting grand ballrooms and inviting verandas, it was once again attracting world-famous clientele.
In the 1920s the city and the hotel enjoyed continued fame as a national health resort. The Elms weathered a near conversion to a sanitarium. Unfortunately the great hotel did not weather the Great Depression. The Elms filed for bankruptcy in 1931.
New ownership in the 1930s rescued it from bankruptcy and The Elms was transformed again to a playground and health spa for the well-to-do. The new management brought in prominent citizens from all walks of life as well as both sides of the law. Politicians, sports stars and crime figures created a heady brew of hotel guests. Al Capone, "Pretty Boy" Floyd and Bugsy Moran reportedly hosted illegal gambling and bathtub gin parties. Police tried to raid the Elms during Prohibition on several occasions. During one memorable attempt, the police busted in on a cocktail party that included the Governor of Missouri. The governor memorably told the cops to go out and bust someone who was "really breaking the law".
Jack Dempsey and the New York Giants visited and trained there. Large conventions were held and festivals were created on the grounds. The hotel activities at this time included private thoroughbred trails, fox hunts with hounds, games of bridge overlooking the gardens and a cocktail lounge complete with in house orchestra.
In 1949 The Elms hosted its most famous guest. Harry S. Truman checked into The Elms in secrecy on November 2, 1948, accompanied by six secret service agents. The President wanted to enjoy the quiet graciousness of the hotel and escape the stress of the Democratic campaign headquarters in Kansas City on Election Day. The President stayed in room 200 and he and his party occupied the entire west wing of the second floor. (The first floor at this time did not exist as it does now. Due to this change, the original Truman Suite is now room 300.) He took advantage of "America's Haven of Health" and its various health benefit offerings. Truman enjoyed the electric cabinet, salt rub, mineral water tubs and a massage. He then retired to his suite and listened to the radio to listen to the radio returns. The next morning, Truman left for the downtown Kansas City Democratic HQ for the photo ops of his victory. The next day, the newly elected President Truman returned to The Elms amid hundreds of press and well-wishers. The Elms gained an even greater level of publicity thanks to that visit.
The 1950s ushered in the era of the corporate convention and The Elms went after it aggressively. The hotel was often reserved in full for national conventions. Names like Avon, Standard Oil, The American Red Cross and many others reserved the entire hotel for their conventions. During this time The Elms also gained a reputation as a wedding and honeymooners paradise.
By the end of the 1950s and the beginning of the 60s the allure was fading. As the hotel went through different owners, it was marketed as, among other things, a motor inn and a Sheraton hotel. By 1970 The Elms closed its doors for the next eight years.
By the end of the seventies and beginning of the eighties, the city of Excelsior Springs and other investors were beginning to see a renewed hope in their crown jewel after several years of frustrating setbacks and crushing disappointments. By 1981, under new ownership, the Elms was alive once again with conventions, tourists and corporate retreats. An all-new spa renovation added to the allure, featuring a European-style lap pool surrounded by a jogging track, a waterfall tub and unique environmental rooms complete with hot tubs and cool mists.
The eighties seemed to be a renewed golden era for the grand old Elms. Advisors were flown in from all over the country to assist in the latest upgrades and portions of the hotel were converted into condominiums as part of a new time-share corporation. Formals, church retreats, wedding celebrations and club events were all part of the wonderful daily social whirl at the Elms. A corporate challenge course was also created for companies to conduct training exercises and team-building exercises. The Elms seemed to be settling into its renewed popularity when fate struck yet another cruel blow.
In the summer of 1991, the Elms Redevelopment Corporation and the hotel itself declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Rumors of the closing of the hotel were set ablaze as the stunned city leaders and community set about looking for ways to save the Elms once again. Despite all, the Elms continued to stay open and serve guests.
In November of 1994, the city of Excelsior Springs starting making moves toward buying the Elms. In October 1995, the city purchased all remaining interest in the hotel. The Elms continued to stay open and operated with a profit.
The city leaders continued to search for the proper buyers for the Elms. At the same time, the IRS was aggressively looking to collect on unpaid back taxes. To prevent the hotel from closing its doors, the city created a new organization to help transition the Elms to new investors.
By July of 1998, the Elms celebrated yet another grand opening after a 16 million dollar renovation. The new Elms featured 153 guestrooms, state-of-the-art conference facilities and a brand-new spa.
The Elms Resort and Spa stands today as a Grande Dame of Hospitality featuring spectacular amenities and gracious service. The hotel is a true survivor and stands as a magnificent tribute to the unbeatable spirit of the town of Excelsior Springs.
Excelsior Springs
One lone, lovely, bubbling spring on the edge of a picturesque river was the humble beginning to the birth of Excelsior Springs, Missouri.
The spring was believed to have been gushing forth for ages when it was accidentally discovered by a black farmer named Travis Mellion. In 1880, according to historical records, the spring which came to be known as Siloam Spring was first discovered as a medicinal treatment. Mellion told of how his daughter suffered from a form of tuberculosis and doctor upon doctor was unable to help her. Mellion took the water home and had his daughter not only drink it but bathe in it as well. After several weeks of this, she steadily improved and eventually was completely cured.
Word spread and soon everything from bad joints to Civil War wounds were being treated with the waters. Literally hundreds upon thousands of people poured into the tiny valley to sample the miraculous powers of the spring. A visiting pastor by the name of John Van Buren Flack named the spring Excelsior after the Longfellow poem. That particular spring was later named Siloam. By the 1890's, several more area springs were also designated as healing and actual brochures went out speaking of "hundreds who have drank the waters and not only found relief but have been completely cured." Another 1890's brochure spoke of a celebrated paleontologist who specialized in the time of the dinosaurs visiting the area and stating that Nature itself set a plan for the town of Excelsior Springs. He said that Nature set about a cataclysmic disturbance of some type that dropped the hills down to form the perfect valleys to not only unearth all the different types of healing mineral waters, but to create the ground to build the beloved Elms hotel and the surrounding boarding houses.
In the earliest stages of the healing craze, A.W. Wyman, the owner of the spring, recognized the possibilities and started developing the land. The earlier mentioned Rev. Flack built a home, opened the first dry-goods store and founded the first church.
Wyman's public spirit and graciousness was vital to the beginnings of the town. The first school was founded in his honor. After a year, more than 200 houses were built The remaining hundreds of visitors built camps or stayed in their covered wagons. In the late 1880's, entrepreneurs formed the Excelsior Springs Company and created parks, pavilions and finally the Elms hotel.
The Elms Resort and the town of Excelsior Springs embarked on a journey together filled with adventure, heartbreak, intrigue and drama that continues today. Together, they form the ultimate tale of survival and triumph over adversity. And the best is yet to come!
Special spirits
Over the years, the Elms has been said to be host to several spirits. The origin of these ghosts have been the source of many a 'spirited' discussion. While the hotel had seen two devastating fires, no fatalities had occurred. Rumors have persisted that one of the spirits was involved in one of the fires. The lap pool area supposedly entertains the spirit of a gambler involved with illegal activities during the speakeasy days of Prohibition. The housekeeping staff has a spiritual adviser in the form of a ghost wearing a 1920's style uniform. One thing everyone seems to agree on is the friendliness of the spirits. These gracious ghosts may act as spiritual guides to the next adventures that await the grand hotel.