The construction of the Dixie Highway Hotel was watched with eager anticipation by many of Edgefield’s citizens. On 12 December 1920, this grand hotel opened its doors for the first time and heralded in a new era in the Town of Edgefield’s social atmosphere. The boll weevil also made its appearance in Edgefield County at this same time, causing devastation to all of the local cotton farmers in the area. Nevertheless, from reading the newspaper accounts in The Edgefield Advertiser, the boll weevil’s havoc was, at first, no match for the excitement over the Dixie Highway Hotel, and lavish gatherings were constantly being hosted there. Some of the more interesting events held at the hotel are transcribed below.

Bachelor Paul Cogburn Entertains Beautifully.

    One of the most delightful social functions of many months in Edgefield was the seven o’clock dinner given Tuesday evening by Mr. Paul Cogburn, to which he invited a score of his friends. In spite of the lowering clouds over head and the slush and mud under foot, making travel by auto, even a la Ford, uncertain and unsatisfactory, all of the guest were present. Soon after all arrived they were ushered into the dining room, where the long, beautifully appointed table, radiant with cut glass, silver and vases of flowers, presented a lovely scene. An elaborate menu was served in courses, the number of the courses and the pleasant conversation, interspersed with wit and repartee, caused the guests to linger about the festive board an unusual length of time. From the room of feasting they were invited back into the parlor, where the Victrola gave added charm to the evening, contributing the full benefit of its large and varied repertoire. Here under the spell of the Victrola’s best time seemed to turn backward in its flight, making all of the belles and beaux sixteeners again. All of their childhood games, carrying some of them back many years and others not so many, were engaged in. Even the sedate and dignified fell in line with the gay and less grave. The delightful occasion will be a source of pleasant memories to all of the guests who were as follows

    Misses June Rainsford, Mamie Dunovant, Pearl Padgett, Virginia Addison, Ruth Lyon, Ruth Tompkins, Annie Wilson, Ruth DeLoach, Gladys Padgett, Sophie Mims, Sadie Mims and Messrs. Charlie Brooks, H. M. Reynolds, George Adams, Claude Lyon, M. D. Lyon, Walter Cantelou, T. B. Greneker and Dr. A. R. Nicholson.--The Edgefield Advertiser, 2 February 1921.

————————--

Annual Banquet.

    The members of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics held their annual banquet at the Dixie Highway Hotel Friday night. On this festive occasion each member was accorded the privilege of inviting a lady, which accounted for the presence of the wives, sisters and sweethearts. As the members arrived they were seated for a time in the spacious lobby of the hotel where they engaged in pleasant conversation. Promptly at 8:30 the dining room doors were thrown open and all were invited in where they were seated about the long rectangular table. Manager Vause maintained on this occasion his well established reputation for serving splendid suppers. The menu was elaborate and beautifully served in courses. As cigars were being handed Toastmaster T. A. Hightower arose and presented the speakers, among them being Rev. G. M. W. Taylor, S. B. Nicholson, S. M. Smith, Col. P. B. Mayson, T. B. Greneker, and J. L. Mims. The occasion was one of real pleasure to the members of the Order and their guests and will be long remembered.--The Edgefield Advertiser, 16 February 1921.

————————--

    University Alumni Organize.About a dozen graduates of the South Carolina University gave a dinner at the Dixie Highway hotel last Saturday, forming an alumni council for Edgefield county by the election of Mr. C. A. Wells, chairman and Mr. J. O. Sheppard secretary. Mr. R. W. Wade of Columbia, secretary of the State Alumni Association, was present by invitation and made a short address. All graduates of the University in Edgefield county are urged to join.--The Edgefield Advertiser, 18 May 1921.

————————--

Masonic Banquet.

    Friday night the members of Concordia Lodge, A. F. M., gave a banquet in the beautiful dining room of the Dixie Highway Hotel and Manager Vause added new laurels to his already enviable reputation in providing a great feast. On this special occasion the members of the lodge were privileged to invite their wives, sweethearts and sisters, as the case may be, which accounted for the considerable number of ladies who participated in the feast. Covers were laid for about eighty-five. In addition to the membership of the Masonic lodge, Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Edgerton, of Aiken were present as guests of honor. At the conclusion of the feast Mr. J. H. Cantelou, master of the lodge, arose and introduced Mr. Edgerton, district deputy of grand lodge, who made an appropriate address.--The Edgefield Advertiser, 25 May 1921.

————————--

Clemson College Club Banquet

    The Dixie Highway Hotel where so many delightful affairs have been given, was the scene of a very elegant banquet last Saturday evening, July 2nd, given by the Edgefield Clemson Club. Capt. B. R. Tillman, county president, was a splendid toast master, calling on a number of the guests for impromptu toasts, which were responded to readily. Several musical numbers were given, adding to the happy program.

    Plates were laid for twenty-four guests, and the several delightful courses were temptingly served. The members were accompanied by their wives, if so fortunate, otherwise by some member of the fair sex.

    Such organizations are a force for great good in our county and are a source of inspiration to each person identified with them.--The Edgefield Advertiser, 6 July 1921.

————————--

Banquet a Success.

    Once more the American Legion Post of Edgefield county, under its present administration, made quite a success of a banquet given in the Dixie Highway Hotel on November 11th, 1921, in celebration of Armistice Day.

    About fifty guests were served by Capt. and Mrs. Moore, who are adepts in preparing a feast. Those who honored the ex-soldiers by their presence as honorary guests were a number of ladies and Judges James B. Tompkins and W. T. Kinnaird. We were very glad to have with us these honored Confederate veterans and were sorry that the cold weather kept some of the other veterans of the Confederacy away. We were also charmed to have with us the young ladies.

    The orchestra played several pieces and those present paused between courses to hear Judge James B. Tompkins, who made a delightful talk, tell us of the wonderful spirit of "pep" that he witnessed while in Chattanooga at the recent reunion of the Confederate veterans. Another delightful speaker was Mr. Frank Adams of Colliers, who is Chaplain of the Post of the county. The Hon. James O. Sheppard made an inspiring talk. The commander of the Post officiated as master of ceremonies. After the dinner quite a few adjourned to the parlor and several had the opportunity to dance by the music of our local musicians.

    A MEMBER.--The Edgefield Advertiser, 16 November 1921.

————————--

 Tea Party Given in Honor of Teachers.

    Mr. A. S. Tompkins gave a delightful tea party in compliment to the Edgefield teachers Friday evening at the Dixie Highway Hotel. Although his locks are whitening, many of his friends likening him to the inimitable Mark Twain, and his step is not as light and elastic as in the days of yore, yet Mr. Tompkins is youthful in spirit and will never cease to find congenial companionship among young people. Not one of his talented guests shared more fully or more heartily the spirit of this very pleasant occasion than did the popular and widely beloved host. Mr. Tompkins’ guests were Mr. W. O. Tatum, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Mahoney, Mrs. W. M. Mooney, Miss Emmie Lanham, Miss Mamie Dunovant, Miss Margaret May, Miss Sallie Mae Nicholson, Miss Nell Bechan, Miss Caro DesChamps, Mr. and Mrs. M. B. Tucker and Miss Marie Leech. Mr. Tompkins’ daughters, Misses Ruth and Mae Tompkins were also members of the party. Capt. and Mrs. Moore, who early in their management of the hotel set a new pace in entertaining, made a new record Friday evening by the beautiful manner in which supper was served.--The Edgefield Advertiser, 7 December 1921.

————————--

Parties for Miss Margaret May

    The series of parties for Miss Margaret May, [daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. E. May] were arranged through the day preceding the beautiful May-May marriage. . . .

    . . . On Wednesday evening the entire bridal party was entertained at the Dixie Highway Hotel by Mr. John M. Mays, Jr., one of the ushers at the wedding. The guests assembled in the parlor of the hotel, which was brightened with vases of roses, impromptu music enlivening the moments. When supper was announced, the merry company repaired to the dining room, which was attractive with masses of Shasta daisies.

    An elaborate menu of breast of chicken, rice, giblet gravy, macaroni, green peas, biscuits, Saratoga chips, pickles and iced tea, tomatoes with mayonnaise and chicken salad on lettuce hearts with ice cream and pound cake was prepared and served with the splendid service that Capt. and Mrs. Moore have made the Dixie Highway hotel famous for.

    The host proved a most adept toast master, calling on a number of guests for responses and reading the good wishes that each guest had written on slips of paper by their dainty place cards.--The Edgefield Advertiser, 7 June 1922.

    There was truly a great amount of excitement and enthusiasm surrounding the Dixie Highway Hotel during its first two years of operation. Suggestions were even made to make improvements to the Town of Edgefield to accommodate all of the visitors and guests of the hotel. One of these ideas is featured below:

Concrete Walk to Station.

    Why not make it a continuous concrete walk on the south side of Main street leading from the railway station to the Dixie Highway Hotel? Most of the way is now paved. Who will take the matter up with the property owners? Let’s step by step, here a little and there a little, modernize Edgefield. A very good beginning has been made in concreting the beaten paths of pedestrians. By all means let’s try to get the entire walk leading from the station to the hotel paved. Strangers who come among us by rail use that walk more than any other.--The Edgefield Advertiser, 23 March 1921.

    During this time, new businesses were also opened in the bottom of the Dixie Highway Hotel. One of these was a grocery store started by Major W. A. Collett, who also owned and operated a drug store in the hotel.  An article about his business is transcribed below: 

    Major W. A. Collett, encouraged by the success he has achieved with his drug store in the Dixie Highway hotel block, has rented the store next door and has opened a first class stock of groceries. Everything is fresh from the mills and jobbers. In addition to the usual stock of groceries, Maj. Collett will make a specialty of garden and field seeds. Make your wants known to him.--The Edgefield Advertiser, 1 February 1922.

    In 1921, management of the Dixie Highway Hotel changed hands. The Edgefield Advertiser reported on 12 October 1921 that "Mr. Foy A. Vause who has managed the Dixie Highway Hotel from the time it opened will leave in a few days for Florida, where he and Mrs. Vause will probably make their home.    Capt. and Mrs. L. Y. Moore will assume the management of the hotel, the change being made sometime this week." Almost exactly a year later, management changed hands again at the hotel. On 4 October 1922, The Edgefield Advertiser published an announcement that 

    "Mrs. Chisolm of Fairfax, S. C., has succeeded Capt. and Mrs. L. Y. Moore in the management of the Dixie Highway Hotel. She has had three years of practical experience in hotel management and has been very successful. She will be cordially welcomed to Edgefield and the people will give her every possible co-operation in the management of Edgefield’s splendid new hotel, which has been so favorably and thoroughly established by Capt. Moore’s excellent management."

    It is curious to note that just a week earlier, 27 September 1922, The Advertiser reported the shocking news that "more valuable real estate will be sold on the block at Edgefield next Monday than for a long time. Among the property sold will be the handsome new Dixie Highway Hotel on the corner. It will go to the highest bidder. Valuable farms will also be sold." Then, on 4 October 1922, the newspaper gave an account of the land sales that had occurred on the previous Monday. It stated that "a larger number of tracts of land than usual were sold at public outcry Monday but on account of the ravages wrought by the boll weevil there was but little demand for farm lands. . . . . The Dixie Highway Hotel was bid in by the Farmers Bank which held the mortgage on this valuable piece of Edgefield property."

    Reading these newspaper articles prompted further research into what could have happened to this prosperous business. Almost immediately, the answer became very clear. The devastation caused by the boll weevil had finally caught up with the Dixie Highway Hotel. Mr. William A. Strom, a very prosperous farmer and the primary financier of the hotel, virtually went bankrupt due to the boll weevil destroying his cotton crops. The hotel suffered the consequences. On 20 December 1922, an ad was published in The Edgefield Advertiser about the sale of the hotel and all of its contents.

     The Farmers’ Bank purchased the property at this sale and the hotel continued in operation until the 1960’s. In 1937, Senator J. Strom Thurmond bought the hotel and owned it for ten years. In 1960, Mr. William Walton Mims acquired the building and owned it until his death in 2007. He renamed it the Plantation House and operated it as a veteran’s home during the 1960’s and 70’s.

    The Dixie Highway Hotel stands today as a mere shadow of its former ostentatious design. The dining room that was filled with the laughter and gaiety from lavish parties and other social gatherings is now silent. The rooms that were proudly touted to have hot and cold running water have long been vacant. Yet the building still stands after ninety-three years as a testimonial to the willingness and perseverance of the townspeople of Edgefield. They wanted a grand hotel so strongly that they raised the money and built it themselves. This spirit is still alive and well in the Town of Edgefield and part of its revitalization is to breath new life into this structure once referred to long ago as "the joy and pride of her community."