The Hotel EstherThe origins of what is now known as the Hotel Esther go back to Dr. Robert Naylor, a prominent English physician. He had graduated from Oxford cum laude with a medical degree and started his practice in Manchester, the city of his birth in 1830. Early on, his success as a physician had provided him with sufficient money to pursue his interest in the world of economics. His success was such that he became a “man of means” before he had reached the age of 30.
One of his enterprises was the purchase of the GREAT EASTERN, the famous cable-laying ship that had laid the original Atlantic telegraph cable in 1886
In the early 1880’s, he accepted a commission from the Victorian government to come to the United States and visit the coal mines of West Virginia to assess the working conditions and see how improvements could be made back home in the coal mines of Wales and other British mining operations.
When Dr. Naylor looked for a suitable place to set up residence in the United States, he saw an advertisement in a newspaper for a farm just north of Salisbury, Maryland. When he saw it, he immediately moved his whole family down here. The property was then known as Ruark’s Mill.
Dr. Naylor had intended to retire here but his reputation as a healer with the latest methods and medicines soon thwarted his plans. The farm that he turned “into a marvel of beauty” was the destination for people from all over the Eastern Shore. He even built a depot at the nearby Williams Switch for the many patients that would come to see him.
Whether it was because of the dire need for more modern care or whether it was a matter of a more convenient location, Dr. Naylor chose a small farm on the fringe of East Salisbury and in 1895 began construction of a 20-room facility. Using his own plans and supervising all the details of construction, he completed the mansion in a year. There is only conjecture that Dr. Naylor intended to make a hospital out of the main house, but there are reasons to believe that he did. The wide halls and doorways and the plan of the room layout could easily have accommodated patients. He died, however, in 1899, only three years after he moved there.
The Naylor heirs apparently decided to dispose of the mansion shortly after Dr. Naylor’s death. The residue of the acreage around the home was subdivided into lots along Truitt St., Benny St. and Cole’s Circle.
It initially became a home for underprivileged children and shortly after was the first John B. Parsons Home for the Aged. Later, when the Parsons home was moved to its present location, the Naylor property was acquired by the Primitive Baptist Church and used for their members who were “were aged and dependent”.
The house was finally sold during the 2nd World War to accommodate the existing housing shortage. The owner turned it into rooms and apartments, and since his wife was named Esther, the name of Hotel Esther came into being and the dwelling is known by that name to this day.
One of his enterprises was the purchase of the GREAT EASTERN, the famous cable-laying ship that had laid the original Atlantic telegraph cable in 1886
In the early 1880’s, he accepted a commission from the Victorian government to come to the United States and visit the coal mines of West Virginia to assess the working conditions and see how improvements could be made back home in the coal mines of Wales and other British mining operations.
When Dr. Naylor looked for a suitable place to set up residence in the United States, he saw an advertisement in a newspaper for a farm just north of Salisbury, Maryland. When he saw it, he immediately moved his whole family down here. The property was then known as Ruark’s Mill.
Dr. Naylor had intended to retire here but his reputation as a healer with the latest methods and medicines soon thwarted his plans. The farm that he turned “into a marvel of beauty” was the destination for people from all over the Eastern Shore. He even built a depot at the nearby Williams Switch for the many patients that would come to see him.
Whether it was because of the dire need for more modern care or whether it was a matter of a more convenient location, Dr. Naylor chose a small farm on the fringe of East Salisbury and in 1895 began construction of a 20-room facility. Using his own plans and supervising all the details of construction, he completed the mansion in a year. There is only conjecture that Dr. Naylor intended to make a hospital out of the main house, but there are reasons to believe that he did. The wide halls and doorways and the plan of the room layout could easily have accommodated patients. He died, however, in 1899, only three years after he moved there.
The Naylor heirs apparently decided to dispose of the mansion shortly after Dr. Naylor’s death. The residue of the acreage around the home was subdivided into lots along Truitt St., Benny St. and Cole’s Circle.
It initially became a home for underprivileged children and shortly after was the first John B. Parsons Home for the Aged. Later, when the Parsons home was moved to its present location, the Naylor property was acquired by the Primitive Baptist Church and used for their members who were “were aged and dependent”.
The house was finally sold during the 2nd World War to accommodate the existing housing shortage. The owner turned it into rooms and apartments, and since his wife was named Esther, the name of Hotel Esther came into being and the dwelling is known by that name to this day.
16 comments:
Thanks, George!
I wondered what the genesis of that building was. Too bad about the untimely death of Dr. Naylor. Salisbury would have been a different place had he lived.
This is very interesting as I have always wondered the history of this house.
Now for a tidbit of infamous history surrounding the house. John Thanos, executed in 1994, rented a room there after being released from ECI for crimes he had committed on the western shore. He went on to murder the Hebron teen and 2 others, was convicted and received the death penalty.
My wife lived there with her parents when she was a baby.
He surrendered his right to appeal.
Very much enjoyed your article Mr George.
He also tried to commit suicide twice while incarcerated. Once by eating his eyeglasses and then he tried hanging himself with his own hair. I'd say he really wanted to die.
i remember going in there as a young child and playing there with a friend who lived there,it was a very nasty place inside ,it was filled with roaches and i remember seeing maggots also it wasnt the placeit was the people that lived there.and as far as john thanos i remember it like it was yesterday,it was right in front of hotel esther on the sidewalk that i was walking on when i bumped into him,ill never forget that tabogan that he wore it was kinda rolled up above his ears and the look he gave me well even now it chills me to the bone
I would of shown him the way.
George--thank you for sharing your wealth of information about our town! You are a treasure.
Greg Taylor will always be remembered by me. He was a kind and loving son to his Mother who was one of my best friends.
John Thanos was a monster!
anonymous 1:06, allow me to second that.
Such a beautiful piece of architecture. Is it still a rooming house? I myself, have witnessed the "working girls" out and about in that neighborhood.
It's a darn shame.
A question for Mr. George
Ok, am showing my age here but here goes. WAY back, I remember buying Red or Blue Stamps in school. They were like 10 or 25 cents each. When the book was filled, you could turn it into a bank and get a savings bond if I remember correctly. I graduated in 72 so I honestly can't remember that far back as far as the stamps go. I CAN remember 3 cent milk cards and 10 cent icecream cards and maybe 25 cent platter cards to buy lunch. Darn, this is really straining my memory...lol
My question is, I recently found a half filled book of the red stamps.
I am just wondering if they are still worth anything.
Cindy W.
Who owns it now and are they trying to restore it?I find it ironic that a building like the bricks qualifies for historic value and this place doesnt?
Great post!
Always a regal looking building. A shame Dr Naylor died so soon after building it. Prmc might not exist and Church street might have a better reputation.Sure seems like it deserves a historical marker.Thanks George.
i moved in here on Valentine's day 2020 my girl says the house is haunted
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