Magnolia Hotel, Historic hotel in Biloxi, United States.
The Magnolia Hotel is a 2+1⁄2-story wood-frame building with plastered exterior walls, measuring 54 feet (16 m) on each side, with walls recessed 7 feet (2.1 m). A central hall runs front to back on both floors: paired rooms flank it on the first floor, six rooms on each side on the second. It now stands about 100 yards north of its original beachfront site, facing east.
The Magnolia Hotel was built in 1847 for John Hahn, who ran a coffeehouse in New Orleans. His widow kept it open for visitors from New Orleans, and after the Civil War it drew winter guests from northern states. Hahn's descendants ran it until it closed during World War II; Hurricane Camille damaged it in 1969, and the city bought and moved it in 1972.
Since 2013 the building has housed Biloxi's Mardi Gras Museum, whose displays of carnival memorabilia share space with exhibits on the hotel's own past. The name comes from the magnolia, and the museum ties the city's carnival traditions to the story of this 1847 lodging house.
The building stands about 100 yards north of its original beachfront site, reoriented to face east after its 1972 move. As of 2013 it housed Biloxi's Mardi Gras Museum, so check current opening arrangements before visiting. The raised position also reflects the city's response to storm surge from Camille and Katrina.
The building was moved about 100 yards (91 m) north of its original beachfront site in 1972 and turned to face east, a relocation prompted by Hurricane Camille in 1969. It is now used as Biloxi's Mardi Gras Museum, displaying carnival memorabilia alongside the hotel's own history.
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