The story of the Travelers Hotel begins in the early 1920s, when it was a bare-bones overnight stop-over for railroad workers who found themselves in Clarksdale. Like many small towns in the Mississippi Delta, Clarksdale has struggled mightily over the years. But its world-renowned reputation as the birthplace of blues music has drawn die-hard music-lovers from all over the world, and has attracted an influx of artists who nicely complement our existing, vibrant arts scene.
Today, the Travelers Hotel is equal parts hotel and community hub -- a comfortable, eclectic, and modern tribute to the Mississippi Delta and its artistic traditions. Here, the sense of place is strong. The lobby is a comfortable space to gather or sit peacefully, surrounded by an evolving collection of local art. Our lobby bar features an impressive selection of regional beer, and there’s a small kitchen and conference area for meeting and events. Our guests are invited to relax and unplug as much as possible -- we have lightning-fast wifi, but there’s no TV in your room.
The Travelers is run by a cooperative of folks seeking to live creatively -- some are local, some were drawn to Clarksdale from afar. The interests and areas of practice of our team vary, but we all share a knack for Southern hospitality and a steadfast commitment to making this community -- once dubbed the “most Southern place on earth” -- better for us all. Our cooperative also owns and operates a garden center and general store called Collective Seed & Supply Co., and a portion of revenues from both businesses fund programs and events that drive engagement, conversation, and collaboration among locals, visitors, and our growing team.
Today’s Travelers Hotel was developed by the downtown revitalization nonprofit, Coahoma Collective. Coahoma Collective first organized in 2016 as a group of real estate developers, nonprofit professionals, artists, and architects who shared a deep commitment to catalyzing arts-driven, community-inclusive revitalization in downtown Clarksdale. Coahoma Collective was granted 501(c)3 nonprofit status in 2018, and in its first year, purchased two historic downtown buildings, including the site of the historic Travelers Hotel.
If you’re planning a trip to Clarksdale and want to immerse yourself in creativity, community, and true Southern hospitality, stay with us. We have a room for you!
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