MONTGOMERY, Alabama — The Alabama Historical Commission recently added the Old Loxley (Stapleton) Hotel in Loxley to the Alabama Register of Landmarks & Heritage.

The Alabama Register is a prestigious listing of historic, architectural, and archaeological landmarks. The AHC considers the notable historic properties in this register to be particularly worthy of preservation and appreciation, and therefore deserving of this special recognition.

The Old Loxley (Stapleton) Hotel is significant for its association with the early development of Loxley as a railroad town.

John Marold and his wife Ephrium built the hotel around 1905, about the same time as the post office and the train depot were built. Marold became a widower and married two other women the last one being Nanny Stapleton who became the owner after Marold died in 1934. Nanny Stapleton ran the hotel until she passed away in 1946.

The Stapleton family owned the hotel until the 1950s when they sold it to Jake Jacobs. Valerie and James Foy are the current owners and plan to restore the building as a museum and a bed and breakfast. The building retains some of its historic integrity from the period when it operated as a hotel. The most distinctive historic feature of the hotel still present is its prominent front double gallery porch.

The Alabama Historical Commission administers the Alabama Register program, which gives the public a simple way to bring recognition to historic properties.

The Alabama Register officially recognizes and honors buildings, sites, structures, objects, and historic districts that are at least 40 years old.

The Alabama Register designation is honorary and carries no restrictions on property and offers no financial incentives.