The Peabody
Uploaded: December 18, 2010
Once upon a time, long ago, back in 1869 to be precise, a very wealthy man named Robert Brinkley decided to build a beautiful new hotel in Memphis, Tennessee. He wanted it to be the finest hotel in the South, an oasis of elegance and good taste where local gentry, wheelers and dealers could congregate in comfort to wine and dine on the finest foods and rarest wines; where their ladies could meet for genteel afternoon tea in opulent, exquisite surroundings. The hotel was to be named The Brinkley House Hotel.
But just before the official opening of the hotel, Mr. Brinkley's best friend, George Peabody, an international financier and philanthropist, died suddenly in London, England. Brinkley was devastated by the loss of his dear friend. Without hesitation, Brinkley decided to commemorate his friend by changing the name of The Brinkley House Hotel to The Peabody Hotel. (See the rest of the story in the comments section.
Exif: F Number: 3.5, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 1/8 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 250, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 10.30 mm, Model: Canon PowerShot SX110 IS
Joyce S. Court December 18, 2010
Legend of The Peabody DucksBack in 1933 Frank Schutt, General Manager of The Peabody, and a friend, Chip Barwick, returned from a weekend hunting trip to Arkansas. The men had a little too much Jack Daniel's Tennessee sippin' whiskey, and thought it would be funny to place some of their live duck decoys (it was legal then for hunters to use live decoys) in the beautiful Peabody fountain.
Three small English call ducks were selected as "guinea pigs," and the reaction was nothing short of enthusiastic. Soon, five North American Mallard ducks would replace the original ducks.
In 1940, Bellman Edward Pembroke, a former circus animal trainer, offered to help with delivering the ducks to the fountain each day and taught them the now-famous Peabody Duck March. Mr. Pembroke became the Peabody Duckmaster, serving in that capacity for 50 years until his retirement in 1991.
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Karen Kessler December 19, 2010
Fantastic capture of "The Peabody" and thank you so much for sharing the stories! I had never heard or read either one, but found them fascinating!#9114699
Wm Nosal December 19, 2010
COOL! #9114842Joyce S. Court December 19, 2010
Thanks William and Karen for your comments. #9114909Karen Kessler December 20, 2010
Hey Joyce,I like your new mini-pic! However, I have an even BETTER one of you from our Zoo photoshoot! ha! (Remember that silly face you made?)
Karen #9116552
Joyce S. Court December 20, 2010
Now Karen, were're friends. You wouldn't! #9116560Sign up for an interactive online photography course to get critiques on your photos.
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