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{{short description|Historic hotel building in U.S. state of Florida built in 1927}}
{{short description|Historic hotel building in U.S. state of Florida built in 1927}}
{{NRIS-only|date=November 2013}}
{{Infobox NRHP
{{Infobox NRHP
| name = Harder Hall
| name = Harder Hall
Line 8: Line 7:
| location = 3300 Golfview Dr., [[Sebring, Florida]]
| location = 3300 Golfview Dr., [[Sebring, Florida]]
| coordinates = {{coord|27|28|11|N|81|28|3|W|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates = {{coord|27|28|11|N|81|28|3|W|display=inline,title}}
| built = 1927
| built = 1925
| architect = [[William Manly King]]
| architect = [[William Manly King]]
| architecture = [[Spanish Colonial Revival Style architecture|Spanish Colonial Revival]]
| architecture = [[Spanish Colonial Revival Style architecture|Spanish Colonial Revival]]
| added = 20 June 1990
| added = 20 June 1990
| area = {{convert|2|acre}}
| area = {{convert|12.5|acre}}<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/image/633359819 ]</ref>
| mpsub = {{NRHP url|id=64500125|title=Sebring MPS}}
| mpsub = {{NRHP url|id=64500125|title=Sebring MPS}}
| refnum = 90000341<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref>
| refnum = 90000341<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref>
}}
}}


'''Harder Hall''' is a historic former hotel building in [[Sebring, Florida|Sebring]], [[Florida]]. It is located on Little Lake Jackson, at 3300 Golfview Drive. On June 20, 1990, it was added to the [[United States|U.S.]] [[National Register of Historic Places]].
'''Harder Hall''' is a historic former hotel building in [[Sebring, Florida|Sebring]], [[Florida]]. It is located on Lake Jackson, at 3300 Golfview Drive. It was regarded as one of the "Grande Dame hotels of Florida",<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Buffalo News 04 Mar 1979, page 64 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/873530860 |access-date=2024-02-13 |website=Newspapers.com |language=en}}</ref> until its closing in 1986. The hotel was designed by renowned [[Palm Beach, Florida|Palm Beach]] architect [[William Manly King]], and was considered the social center of Sebring.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/image/389554378]</ref> On June 20, 1990, it was added to the [[United States|U.S.]] [[National Register of Historic Places]].


In late 2022 former St. Petersburg City Council Member [[Robert G. Blackmon]] purchased the hotel for 4 million dollars.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Writer |first=PHIL ATTINGER Staff |title=Harder Hall sold for $4M |url=https://www.midfloridanewspapers.com/highlands_news-sun/harder-hall-sold-for-4m/article_ae917b32-2a17-11ed-83b5-63185ae53587.html |access-date=2023-01-08 |website=Mid Florida Newspapers |language=en}}</ref>
== Original capacity ==
⚫
The hotel was designed in the [[Spanish Colonial Revival Style architecture]] popular during the period and contained 134 rooms. It had approximately {{convert|50000|sqft|m2}} square feet of rooms and halls, {{convert|35000|sqft|m2}} of public areas including a [[Mezzanine (architecture)|mezzanine]] lobby. The {{convert|4200|sqft|m2|adj=on}} great room and [[banquet]] room both had {{convert|22|ft|m|0|adj=on}} ceilings with large [[french door]]s that overlook the lake.


== History ==
== History==
===Construction===
⚫
Vincent S. Hall acquired 2000 acres on Little Lake Jackson for construction of a resort to be part of the [[Biltmore Hotel]] chain.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Tampa Tribune 13 Feb 1988, page 51 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/337200307 |access-date=2024-02-13 |website=Newspapers.com |language=en}}</ref> Hall, who was also involved in the [[Miami Biltmore Hotel]], partnered with Lewis Harder to make the plan a reality. Billed as "the [[Coral Gables, Florida|Coral Gables]] of Central Florida",<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/image/823065146]</ref> the resort was designed in the [[Spanish Colonial Revival Style architecture]] popular during the period and contained 200 rooms, with a length of 630 feet and a height of 160 feet.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/image/332733614]</ref> It had approximately {{convert|50000|sqft|m2}} square feet of rooms and halls, {{convert|35000|sqft|m2}} of public areas including a [[Mezzanine (architecture)|mezzanine]] lobby. The {{convert|4200|sqft|m2|adj=on}} great room and [[banquet]] room both had {{convert|22|ft|m|0|adj=on}} ceilings with large [[french door]]s that overlook the lake.


"Harder Hall" was named for its developers, Lewis F. Harder and Vincent Hall, both of [[West Palm Beach]].<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/image/325213567]</ref> Construction of the resort began in 1925,<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Tampa Tribune 02 Mar 1994, page 53 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/339932850 |access-date=2024-02-13 |website=Newspapers.com |language=en}}</ref> prior to the end of the [[Florida land boom of the 1920s]]. The firm responsible for the construction of the building, [[Schultze and Weaver]], were also responsible for the [[Coral Gables Biltmore Hotel|Biltmore Hotel]] in [[Coral Gables, Florida]]. In 1927, before opening, Harder and Hall went bankrupt on the project;<ref>{{Cite web |title=Port Charlotte Sun 29 Sep 2017, page SEA10 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/823223472 |access-date=2024-02-13 |website=Newspapers.com |language=en}}</ref> it was then purchased by a group including US [[Congressman]] [[Edgar Raymond Kiess]], with Vincent Hall returning as resident manager.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/image/332819637/]</ref> On January 21, 1928,<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/image/337200320]</ref> the classic Spanish Style hotel and golf resort opened on the shore of [[Little Lake Jackson]].
=== Early ===
Harder Hall was named for its developers, Lewis F. Harder and Vincent Hall, both of [[West Palm Beach]]. Prior to the [[Wall Street Crash of 1929]], Florida experienced a boom in [[real estate]] and [[tourism]]. It was during this period that many Spanish style hotels, such as Harder Hall, were built. Construction of the hotel began in 1925, prior to the end of the [[Florida land boom of the 1920s]]. The firm responsible for the construction of the building, [[Schultze and Weaver]], were also responsible for the [[Coral Gables Biltmore Hotel|Biltmore Hotel]] in [[Coral Gables, Florida]]. In 1927, the classic Spanish Style hotel and golf resort, opened on the shore of Little Lake Jackson. Harder Hall was built in Sebring because the city was a stop on the [[Atlantic Coast Line Railroad|Atlantic Coast Line]] railroad. In 1953 it was bought by Victor and David Jacobson and partners Larry Tennenbaum and Sam Levy. In 1954 Victor commissioned golf course architect [[Dick Wilson (golf course architect)|Dick Wilson]] to transform the golf course into a championship layout. Among the major tournaments held at Harder Hall Hotel were the [[Haig & Haig Scotch Foursome]], a [[PGA Tour]]/[[LPGA Tour]] event. Other famous guests of the hotel were Paul Newman, Steve McQueen, Ali MacGraw and Mario Andretti. With head pro Ben Roman Victor started the first golf school in the world. Victor and Eva Jacobson also operated Harder Hall Golf and Tennis Camp at the hotel between 1967 and at least 1982. This was the first and last co-ed, teenage golf and tennis camp in a resort hotel ever and drew campers from all over the world. Victor operated this hotel until the 1982 when he sold it to a group of investors who went bankrupt, unable to convert their plan to convert the structure to [[timeshare]]s. The building has been unoccupied ever since. Several times different groups tried their luck on the extensive renovation project but never got far. A few times this classic building barely escaped demolition, before being put on the National Register of Historic Places.


=== Current ===
===Operation===
In 2004 the building was acquired by another investor from Florida, who in 2005 through 2006 gave the ambitious restoration project another try. This one witnessed more work done than all other previous attempts combined, but ran out of funds in 2006. Currently the half-finished project is awaiting new owners to finally finish the restoration. Harder Hall was purchased at auction by the city of Sebring in July 2007. The hotel is known by locals as one of the most haunted buildings in Highlands County. Many explorers have filmed paranormal activity on the property, such as sightings of people said to have died on the property over the years.


Featured hotel activities included golfing, tennis, boating, swimming, fishing, hunting, horseback riding, and more.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/image/276246809]</ref> Department store magnate [[S. S. Kresge]] spent his honeymoon at the resort,<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/image/47442191]</ref> while [[Statler Hotel]] founder [[Ellsworth Milton Statler]] spent winters there.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Tampa Times 07 Feb 1928, page 18 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/332742395/ |access-date=2024-02-13 |website=Newspapers.com |language=en}}</ref>
The golf course closed and was sold in 2021.

Novelist [[Rex Beach]] lived at the hotel for a period in the 1920s.<ref>https://www.newspapers.com/image/742713612/</ref> Beach's brother in law, famed comedian [[Fred Stone]], made national headlines when he went golfing at the resort in 1929, his first public outing without crutches since he had been injured in a plane crash the year before.<ref>https://www.newspapers.com/image/411928472/</ref><ref>https://www.newspapers.com/image/332383469/?terms=Fred%20stone%20rex%20beach%20sebring&match=1</ref><ref>https://www.newspapers.com/image/90080985/</ref>

A number of notable performers appeared at the hotel over the years, including actress [[Vilma Ebsen]]<ref>https://www.newspapers.com/image/223081848/</ref>

It greatly benefitted from its proximity to the [[Sebring International Raceway]] and was the hotel of choice for many of the affluent drivers who competed in the [[12 Hours of Sebring]] race, and of the celebrities and who attended the festivities.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/image/389554378]</ref> The resort hosted many pre and post race parties, as well as award banquets. Harder Hall "virtually always has been Sebring race headquarters, if not officially, unofficially, and surely socially"<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/image/335632645]</ref>

Famous guests included actor [[Steve McQueen]], [[Peter Revson]], [[Dan Gurney]]<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/image/340532654]</ref> [[Mario Andretti]],<ref>https://www.newspapers.com/image/325212821</ref> Count [[Alfonso de Portago]], [[Briggs Cunningham]], [[Paul Newman]], [[James Garner|Jim Garner]], [[Dick Smothers]], and [[Bruce Jenner]].<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/image/335632645]</ref> In 1984, Driver [[Hurley Haywood]] remarked "I love pink old Harder Hall. . .I still stay there. I love the quaintness of Sebring".<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/image/336292474]</ref>

In the 30s, [[Walter Hagen]] faced off against [[Joe Kirkwood Sr.|Joe Kirkwood]] in an exhibition match at the resort, with [[Rube Walberg]] and novelist [[Rex Beach]] pairing off for their own round.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/image/173155384]</ref> In the 1960s, golf stars [[Cary Middlecoff]] and [[Jim Ferree]] faced off in a televised "World Championship Golf" match.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/image/293002810/]</ref>

From 1960-1964 the resort played host to the annual [[JCPenney Classic|Haig & Haig Scotch Foursome]],<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/image/329718753]</ref> which eventually became known as the [[JCPenney Classic]]. In 2000 the tournament was replaced by the [[Valspar Championship]], now held annually at the [[Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club]].

In October 1986, the [[LPGA]] [[Futures Tour]] established its home base at the resort, with the hotel serving as host to a number of LPGA tournaments over the years including the long-running [[Harder Hall Women's Invitational]]<ref>https://golfweek.usatoday.com/2021/07/29/amateur-golf-harder-hall-womens-invitational-new-name-course-rotation/</ref>

The resort also featured 12 tennis courts and a tennis clubhouse.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/image/633359819]</ref>


==References==
==References==
Line 36: Line 50:


==External links==
==External links==
{{commonscat-inline}}
{{commons category-inline}}
* [http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/FL/Highlands/state.html Highlands County listings] at [http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com National Register of Historic Places]
* [http://www.flheritage.com/facts/reports/places/Counties/Highlands.cfm Highlands County listings] at [http://www.flheritage.com Florida's Office of Cultural and Historical Programs]
* [http://www.sebringhistoricalsociety.org Sebring Historical Society]
{{National Register of Historic Places in Florida}}
{{National Register of Historic Places in Florida}}


Latest revision as of 23:47, 1 March 2024

Harder Hall
Harder Hall
Location3300 Golfview Dr., Sebring, Florida
Coordinates27°28′11″N 81°28′3″W / 27.46972°N 81.46750°W / 27.46972; -81.46750
Area12.5 acres (5.1 ha)[2]
Built1925
ArchitectWilliam Manly King
Architectural styleSpanish Colonial Revival
MPSSebring MPS
NRHP reference No.90000341[1]
Added to NRHP20 June 1990

Harder Hall is a historic former hotel building in Sebring, Florida. It is located on Lake Jackson, at 3300 Golfview Drive. It was regarded as one of the "Grande Dame hotels of Florida",[3] until its closing in 1986. The hotel was designed by renowned Palm Beach architect William Manly King, and was considered the social center of Sebring.[4] On June 20, 1990, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

In late 2022 former St. Petersburg City Council Member Robert G. Blackmon purchased the hotel for 4 million dollars.[5]

History[edit]

Construction[edit]

Vincent S. Hall acquired 2000 acres on Little Lake Jackson for construction of a resort to be part of the Biltmore Hotel chain.[6] Hall, who was also involved in the Miami Biltmore Hotel, partnered with Lewis Harder to make the plan a reality. Billed as "the Coral Gables of Central Florida",[7] the resort was designed in the Spanish Colonial Revival Style architecture popular during the period and contained 200 rooms, with a length of 630 feet and a height of 160 feet.[8] It had approximately 50,000 square feet (4,600 m2) square feet of rooms and halls, 35,000 square feet (3,300 m2) of public areas including a mezzanine lobby. The 4,200-square-foot (390 m2) great room and banquet room both had 22-foot (7 m) ceilings with large french doors that overlook the lake.

"Harder Hall" was named for its developers, Lewis F. Harder and Vincent Hall, both of West Palm Beach.[9] Construction of the resort began in 1925,[10] prior to the end of the Florida land boom of the 1920s. The firm responsible for the construction of the building, Schultze and Weaver, were also responsible for the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Florida. In 1927, before opening, Harder and Hall went bankrupt on the project;[11] it was then purchased by a group including US Congressman Edgar Raymond Kiess, with Vincent Hall returning as resident manager.[12] On January 21, 1928,[13] the classic Spanish Style hotel and golf resort opened on the shore of Little Lake Jackson.

Operation[edit]

Featured hotel activities included golfing, tennis, boating, swimming, fishing, hunting, horseback riding, and more.[14] Department store magnate S. S. Kresge spent his honeymoon at the resort,[15] while Statler Hotel founder Ellsworth Milton Statler spent winters there.[16]

Novelist Rex Beach lived at the hotel for a period in the 1920s.[17] Beach's brother in law, famed comedian Fred Stone, made national headlines when he went golfing at the resort in 1929, his first public outing without crutches since he had been injured in a plane crash the year before.[18][19][20]

A number of notable performers appeared at the hotel over the years, including actress Vilma Ebsen[21]

It greatly benefitted from its proximity to the Sebring International Raceway and was the hotel of choice for many of the affluent drivers who competed in the 12 Hours of Sebring race, and of the celebrities and who attended the festivities.[22] The resort hosted many pre and post race parties, as well as award banquets. Harder Hall "virtually always has been Sebring race headquarters, if not officially, unofficially, and surely socially"[23]

Famous guests included actor Steve McQueen, Peter Revson, Dan Gurney[24] Mario Andretti,[25] Count Alfonso de Portago, Briggs Cunningham, Paul Newman, Jim Garner, Dick Smothers, and Bruce Jenner.[26] In 1984, Driver Hurley Haywood remarked "I love pink old Harder Hall. . .I still stay there. I love the quaintness of Sebring".[27]

In the 30s, Walter Hagen faced off against Joe Kirkwood in an exhibition match at the resort, with Rube Walberg and novelist Rex Beach pairing off for their own round.[28] In the 1960s, golf stars Cary Middlecoff and Jim Ferree faced off in a televised "World Championship Golf" match.[29]

From 1960-1964 the resort played host to the annual Haig & Haig Scotch Foursome,[30] which eventually became known as the JCPenney Classic. In 2000 the tournament was replaced by the Valspar Championship, now held annually at the Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club.

In October 1986, the LPGA Futures Tour established its home base at the resort, with the hotel serving as host to a number of LPGA tournaments over the years including the long-running Harder Hall Women's Invitational[31]

The resort also featured 12 tennis courts and a tennis clubhouse.[32]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. ^ [1]
  3. ^ "The Buffalo News 04 Mar 1979, page 64". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-02-13.
  4. ^ [2]
  5. ^ Writer, PHIL ATTINGER Staff. "Harder Hall sold for $4M". Mid Florida Newspapers. Retrieved 2023-01-08.
  6. ^ "The Tampa Tribune 13 Feb 1988, page 51". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-02-13.
  7. ^ [3]
  8. ^ [4]
  9. ^ [5]
  10. ^ "The Tampa Tribune 02 Mar 1994, page 53". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-02-13.
  11. ^ "Port Charlotte Sun 29 Sep 2017, page SEA10". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-02-13.
  12. ^ [6]
  13. ^ [7]
  14. ^ [8]
  15. ^ [9]
  16. ^ "The Tampa Times 07 Feb 1928, page 18". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-02-13.
  17. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/image/742713612/
  18. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/image/411928472/
  19. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/image/332383469/?terms=Fred%20stone%20rex%20beach%20sebring&match=1
  20. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/image/90080985/
  21. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/image/223081848/
  22. ^ [10]
  23. ^ [11]
  24. ^ [12]
  25. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/image/325212821
  26. ^ [13]
  27. ^ [14]
  28. ^ [15]
  29. ^ [16]
  30. ^ [17]
  31. ^ https://golfweek.usatoday.com/2021/07/29/amateur-golf-harder-hall-womens-invitational-new-name-course-rotation/
  32. ^ [18]

External links[edit]

Media related to Harder Hall at Wikimedia Commons

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