The post below is excerpted from my book “A Guide to the South’s Quirkiest Roadside Attractions.” You can buy it at Books-A-Million stores or online here.
Morris the cat, who lived to the ripe ol’ age of 21, had an important position and an office at the historic Crescent Hotel. Morris was known as the “general manager” and official greeter at the hotel.
When Morris died in 1994, he was buried in a place of honor on the grounds. According to the hotel’s website, more than 300 people attended Morris’ funeral.
Morris is said to haunt the hotel to this day. Click here to read more about the Crescent’s ghosts on It’s a Southern Thing.
A memorial plaque in the lobby of the hotel also offers a tribute:
“In Memory of Morris, the Resident Cat at the Crescent Hotel,
He filled his position exceedingly well,
The General Manager title he wore,
was printed right there on his own office door,
He acted as greeter and sometimes as guide,
Whatever his duties, he did them with pride,
He chose his own hours and set his own pace,
The guests were impressed with his manners and grace,
Upstairs and down he kept everything nice,
They might have had ghosts, but they never had mice,
Due to the fact he was growing quite old,
he’d doze by the fire when the weather got cold,
His years were a dignified twenty and one,
when at last he retired his nine lives were done,
He filled his position exceedingly well,
the Resident Cat at The Crescent Hotel.”
See Morris’ grave at the Crescent Hotel and Spa, 75 Prospect Avenue, Eureka Springs, Ark.
KellyKazek.com 