Terminal Hotel in Hamlet NC

[Bill Dennis]

Before and After Fire in May of 1993
The Terminal Hotel was owned by The Late Jake Covington.
The hotel was built around 1912 and its 52 rooms were used
to house railroad men and mail clerks when the railroad was
going strong. At the time of the fire in 1993 that destroyed the
hotel, it was home to about 30 boarders. The Hotel was a focal
point during the filming of the movie "Billy Bathgate". Some
rooms and the lobby were fixed up unbelievably for the
scenes that were filmed there. A permanent balcony was built
around the hotel exterior front, signs were added for a
restaurant and barber shop, expensive carpet was laid and
wallpaper added in hallways and rooms. Some scenes for the
movie Black Rainbow with Jason Robards, was filmed there
also. The talk around town was another director was looking
at making a movie in Hamlet until the hotel burned down.

[David]

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[sigmore]

Awesome story Bill! Almost every time you post, it's got something I never new about Our Hamlet. The eatin stories are good too! And a big thanks to David ole bean for allowing us to enjoy this site.

[Jean Raby Nelson]

My Stories

1962 - Thanksgiving Day Trip to The Terminal Hotel
written by Jean Raby Nelson

Thanksgiving day 1962 found me at work because the news has to go out. Of course, all of the retail stores were closed so when it was time for our mid morning snacks, I walked down to The Terminal Hotel's Lunch Room. This was a whole new adventure: far from a Coke and Nabs. I took full advantage of that opportunity and ordered some french fries.

Blanche (I knew her but can't remember her last name) brought me my fries. I took my first delicious bite a second or two out of the hot oil. It lodged just inches past my throat and there was a terrible burning sensation in my chest. I have had this happen 3 or 4 times in my life. I passed out while sitting on the soda fountain stool! Pretty much as gravity would have it, I fell off the stool backwards. (That must have been a sight). While doing this I bit my tongue.

When I regained consciousness, Dr Garrison is on his way down with his Black Bag. He was the owner of the hotel at that time if I am not mistaken. The next thing I know, I am in a room, in a bed and being examined. There was a diagnosis of epilepsy since I bit my tongue when I landed on my head flipping backwards. I later went for a checkup at his office. I paid for the room at The hotel. He gave me pills to take for the rest of my life.

I decided after about a month to not take them and have been fine ever since. I have had 3 other episodes like that since then. It is very strange. The other times I was sitting in a chair and didn't go over backwards. Don't get me wrong, I loved Dr Garrison. He brought all of us into this world but this was a strange one.