Hornibrook Mansion

The History

The Building of Hornibrook Mansion

Hornibrook Mansion was built in 1888 for $20,000. Most other homes of the time cost in the neighborhood of $2,500 and $3,500. It was designed by Max Orlopp and Casper Kusener, who were also responsible for the Little Rock Courthouse.

James H. Hornibrook moved his family to Little Rock from Toronto, Canada, just after the end of the Civil War. He had two strikes against him, according to “proper” Little Rock society - first, he was from the North and considered to be a “carpetbagger”. Second was his profession. Mr. Hornibrook worked as a saloonkeeper, which was considered to be distasteful. Despite Little Rock’s distaste, however, Mr. Hornibrook’s business was booming. His only competition was Angelo Marre. Marre had managed to crack so-called “Scott Street” society, despite his profession, and had built himself a remarkable home - the Villa Marre - which at the time was one of the largest in the state.

Not to be outdone, Mr. Hornibrook set out to build his own mansion, which was to make the Villa Marre look painfully small and unimpressive. No expense was spared in the construction of Hornibrook Mansion. The wood floor featured six different kinds of wood - cherry, oak, walnut, yellow pine, cypress, and mahogany. There were six working fireplaces and steam heat, with pipes and fittings for both gas and electric (Hornibrook was also a vice president at Edison Electric). Stained glass windows were featured throughout the house, including a 64 square foot stained glass skylight on the second story. The building materials included everything from rock, brick, and stucco, to crystal, marble, and quartz.

The technological advances of the time were evident in the home. There was indoor plumbing, including tubs with running hot water, a boiler room in the basement, and even an intercom system. All in, the house was 7,200 square feet on the two main floors, plus additional space for a laundry room, food pantry, and attic.

It was in the attic that Hornibrook is rumored to have gotten his jollys at the expense of the snooty Arkansas upper crust. Word is he kept a continuous poker game running on the top level of the three and a half story tower, where he employed local boys to work as lookouts. Rumor also has it that to this day, if one plays a game of cards in that attic room, old James Hornibrook, or at least his ghost, is likely to join in for a hand.

1890 and Beyond

Mr. Hornibrook did not get to revel in his handiwork for long. In 1890, he died at the front gates of his home of a stroke at the age of 49. The death was not a surprise to the Hornibrook family though, as the man himself had sensed his impending demise. To prepare for his death, he took a trip to Italy to purchase a marble death mask for himself. Two years later, Mrs. Hornibrook passed away also; reportedly of a broken heart.

The Hornibrook children lived in the house until 1897, at which point they leased it to the state. The state turned the home into Arkansas Women’s College - the first college for women in the state. In the early 1900s, the college moved out, and the home was sold to a private owner. After that owner’s 1922 death, the home remained empty throughout the Depression and WWII, with the grounds becoming the 1940s equivalent of a lover’s lane for Little Rock’s courting youth. From the 1950s onward, the home went through a series of private owners, until being purchased in 1993 by the Blair family. The Blair family now operate the home was a B&B.

The Design

Floral prints are an important feature of Victorian design.

The home was designed in Queen Anne Victorian and Gothic style. Victorian style is characterized by dark finished woods, like mahogany and walnut, intricate floral patterns, and strong, bold [Basics of Color Design| colors]. Furniture with oval backs feature highly, as does marble counters and table tops. Long draperies in rich fabrics are also an important part of this style. Overall, the style is highly ornate, with many of the florals you might expect to see in [[English Country Style Interior Design| English Country style] but much more formal.

The Gothic style is evident in the architectural design of Hornibrook Mansion. The stained glass featured, divided staircase, octagonal shaped rooms, and towers are all indicative of Gothic design.

Visit Hornibrook Mansion

Hornibrook Mansion is open for tours and high teas daily, or of course, for a weekend getaway. Contact the Hornibrook at:

2120 S. Louisiana Street

Quapaw Quarter Historic District

Little Rock, Arkansas 72206

(501)374-7966

hostess@theempress.com