Frank Martin's painting of the Hotel Bayou inspired me to visit. What a story!
Built in 1917-1921 Edwin and Elizabeth Piersol and architect John B Harmon, it's 60 rooms each had private bathrooms, extreme luxury back then. Built from 18-inch thick stone from a nearby quarry, the hotel was gutted by fire in 1929. Duck hunting bans in 1930 and the great depression ended its time as a grand hotel.
In 1935, the Franciscan Sisters bought the property as a home for elderly nuns. Dr. Charles Foley turned it into apartments in 1953. Another fire gutted it in 1970, and it fell into disrepair until 1976 when the city of Havre De Grace assumed ownership. The National Park Service designated it a national historic structure in 1983. The city sold the property in 1984, leading to its renovation into residential condominiums. More details at https://bahoukas.net/eps-35-the-amazing-bayou-hotel-havre-de-grace-md/ Photograph by Lindsay Morris, 2026. 40" x 22"
