LOCATION: Imagine an evening in the family parlor at the Biltmore estate, surrounded by luxurious antiques, the warmth of the fire draining away the tension of a busy corporate day, stretched out in your smoking jacket or Victorian dressing gown, and that special book you've been postponing for the "right time". Each room at The Empress conveys just such a feeling in your own private sitting area. Or imagine luxuriating in the "bath of the century" (19th that is) provided by a claw foot tub and the soft glow of long ago lighting. Perhaps the lure of the "secret" watch tower in the turret intrigues you. Or imagine yourself as Scarlett, descending a magnificent double staircase made of walnut and cypress, lighted by the rainbow hues of a 64 square foot stained glass skylight. Breakfast smells beckon you to leisurely dining served from the verandah or the formal dining room, resplendent with silver service and unrushed conversation, where true Southern hospitality is served, along with English crumpets. Queen Victoria would have nodded her approval.

Imagine further, a 19th Century Drawing Room in patterned carpet, rich wood wainscoting back dropping a game table with a puzzle partially put together, drawing you to pull up that cozy chair and add the next piece.

The Hornibrook Mansion was completed in 1888 at the exorbitant cost of $20,000 and used exclusively Arkansas materials. Designed by Max Orlopp and Casper Kusener, it has been described in the National register of Historic Places as the best example of ornate Victorian Architecture in Arkansas and the most important existing example of Gothic Queen Anne style regionally. Its significance lies in the unique architectural features (divided stairway, 3 1/2 story corner tower, stained glass skylight, and octagonal shaped rooms), which create a massive structure representing late-nineteenth century architecture in its most flamboyant style.

Following the Civil War, James H. Hornibrook moved from Toronto and established a profitable business as a saloonkeeper. Shunned from the proper Scott Street society because of his occupation, Hornibrook waited until Angelo Marré (his competitor saloonkeeper) completed his home, the Villa Marré, and proceeded to build the most extravagant dwelling in the state. Legend has it that he kept a card game going in the tower room where he could watch for raids on his establishment. Unfortunately, he died of an "apoplectic stroke" at the front gate, shortly after the mansion was finished. He was only 49 years of age. Anticipating his death, he had a death mask of Italian marble designed while on a trip to Italy and is buried in the historic Mt. Holly cemetery, in the family plot. Margaret McCully Hornibrook died two years later at age 49, purportedly of a broken heart.

In 1897, the Hornibrook Mansion became the Arkansas Women's College, the state's first. Between the Depression and the early 1940's the house stood vacant and became a nursing home in 1948. It was a private residence and apartments until 1994 when it was restored to become The Empress.. SHOW MAP