The hotel was part of James U. Jackson's plan for developing the resort town of North Augusta, South Carolina.

[1] In April 1902, Jackson's youngest son ceremonially broke ground on the hotel, and the Woodward Lumber Company served as the general contractor's for the project.

[2] The location for the hotel was a hill overlooking the surrounding area,[3] and it was later said that from the top floor, visitors could see sights from over 50 miles (80 km) away.

[6] The five-story, 300 room hotel was a large success upon opening, attracting several notable guests such as businessmen Marshall Field, Harvey S. Firestone, John D. Rockefeller, and President-elect of the United States William Howard Taft.

[7] The hotel featured a 9 (later 18) hole golf course, a 15,000 acres (6,100 ha) game preserve, and other forms of entertainment, such as shuffleboard and ping-pong.