Some buildings are simply part of a town.

Others help tell the story of how that town became what it is today.

The historic H.W. Horton Building at 611 West King Street belongs to the second category.

Long before it became The Horton Hotel, the building stood at the center of a changing downtown Boone. It has seen new businesses arrive, generations of residents come and go, and the mountain town around it grow into one of North Carolina's favorite destinations.

And nearly a century later, its story is still being written.

Henry Walter Horton: A Man with a Vision for Boone

To understand the building, you first have to meet the man behind it.

Henry Walter Horton was a businessman, real estate developer, and passionate advocate for Boone's growth during the early 20th century.

At a time when Boone was still developing into a regional destination, Horton recognized the potential of its mountain setting.

He championed better roads, encouraged tourism, and helped promote commercial development throughout the area.

He wasn't simply investing in buildings.

He was investing in what Boone could become.

1929: A New Landmark on King Street

In 1929, Horton completed one of downtown Boone's most distinctive commercial buildings.

The H.W. Horton Building stood out immediately.

Its yellow-brick exterior, decorative terracotta details, and unusually spacious storefront were ambitious features for a growing mountain town.

The main retail level and mezzanine offered approximately 18 feet of interior height, while its large display windows brought a more metropolitan style to King Street.

One of its first occupants was Spainhours' Department Store, which opened in the building in May 1929.

The Rhodes-Day Company, a furniture business, also occupied the basement during the building's early days.

Shopping.

Furniture.

Offices and apartments upstairs.

The Horton Building was designed to be a busy part of downtown life.

A Difficult Beginning and Decades of Change

The timing of the building's completion was unfortunate.

Just months after its opening, the stock market crashed in October 1929.

The financial difficulties that followed affected businesses across the country, including Henry Walter Horton.

By the end of the year, Horton had lost control of his newly constructed property.

But the building remained.

Over the decades, different businesses occupied its commercial spaces, and the property continued adapting to the changing needs of downtown Boone.

Its yellow-brick facade became a familiar part of King Street, even as the town developed around it.

2019: The Horton Hotel Opens Its Doors

Almost 90 years after the building's original construction, another transformation began.

In 2019, the historic property reopened as The Horton Hotel.

The renovation gave the long-vacant building a new purpose while celebrating the architectural details and history that made it special.

Fifteen individually designed guest rooms replaced former commercial spaces.

Historic character met contemporary comforts.

And above it all, a rooftop lounge offered something entirely new: an elevated gathering place overlooking downtown Boone, Appalachian State University, and the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains.

The building was once again welcoming people through its doors.

Just for a different reason.

A Historic Landmark Worth Preserving

In 2024, the Town of Boone officially designated the H.W. Horton Building as a Local Historic Landmark.

The recognition celebrated the property's architectural significance and its connection to Henry Walter Horton's role in Boone's development.

It also recognized something we believe matters.

History isn't only found in museums.

Sometimes, it's the building where you spend the night.

The Hodges Building: Another Piece of Boone History

The Horton's story continued with an expansion into the nearby historic John W. Hodges Building.

Located just steps away on West King Street, the Hodges Building has its own remarkable past.

Its spaces once housed the Gateway Café, which served as an emergency Red Cross headquarters during Boone's devastating 1940 flood.

Later, its basement became a local bowling center.

The building also survived a major fire in 1970 before being renovated and adapted for new businesses.

In 2025, it entered another chapter as part of The Horton Hotel.

The expansion added eight guest rooms, bringing the hotel to 23 rooms across its two downtown buildings.

It also introduced The Foundry event space, a fitness center, and a sauna.

Two historic properties.

Two very different histories.

One hotel connected to the heart of Boone.

Stay Somewhere with a Story

Today, The Horton is more than a place to stay on King Street.

It's an opportunity to experience Boone's history from the inside.

Look closely at the original building's architectural details.

Spend time exploring the downtown that Henry Walter Horton helped shape.

Then head to the rooftop and take in the view of the town that has grown around it.

A lot has changed since 1929.

But the best part of the story might be that this building still has a future.

And we'd love for you to be part of it.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Horton Building

When was the Horton Building built?

The original H.W. Horton Building at 611 West King Street was completed in 1929.

Who was Henry Walter Horton?

Henry Walter Horton was a Boone businessman, real estate developer, and tourism advocate who helped promote economic growth and transportation improvements in the early 20th century.

When did The Horton Hotel open?

The Horton Hotel opened in 2019 after the historic downtown building underwent a major renovation.

Is The Horton Hotel a historic landmark?

Yes. The original H.W. Horton Building received official Local Historic Landmark designation from the Town of Boone in 2024.

What is the Hodges Building at The Horton?

The Hodges Building is a historic downtown Boone property that became part of The Horton Hotel in 2025, adding eight guest rooms and new amenities.

‍