Virtual Tour of The Saint James Hotel - Saint James Hotel, front porch

This is the front porch of the Saint James Hotel, on the Water Avenue side. The doors closest to the camera lead into the lobby, farther down the porch is the entrance to the drinking room. Why so many doors? In the days before air-conditioning the doors were opened to allow the breeze to cool the rooms. Doors allowed more air flow than a smaller window would.
Over the years the hotel has had a number of names. The hotel was originally named the Brantley Hotel, the name was later changed to the Troupe House. In 1871 the hotel was renamed the Saint James Hotel.