Architectural Information

The Sheridan Inn originally had 64 bedrooms located on the second and third floors within the gambrel roof, each bedroom having its own dormer window. The roof, although steep, gradually melted into the slope of the porch, supposedly providing a quick and safe fire escape.

The dining room, saloon and other first floor rooms have the bottom cord of large trusses of handhewn Georgia pine. The largest span is 40 feet 2 inches over the dining room. The remainder of each truss is concealed between the walls of some of the rooms of the second floor (full height). The three fireplaces, one each in the dining room, ladies parlor and the lobby, are of native cobblestone and were built at a cost of $1,000 each - a high price in 1893 when a sumptuous dinner could be bought at the hotel for 50 cents.

Links to drawings and photos are below.

Exterior

Overall dimensions

An L-shaped three story frame structure. The longest wing, the east front, measures 144 feet 8 inches by 55 feet nine inches including the porch; the north wing is 98 feet 5 inches by 47 feet 1 inch.

Foundation

Concrete.

Wall construction

Wood frame, 2 inch by 6 inch studs, beveled siding.

Openings

Three sets of double-paneled and lighted doors on the front facade lead into the dining room, the ladies parlor and the hotel lobby. A similar doorway opens into the saloon from the northwest porch. The north facade has two single doors, one landing into the lobby, the other into the barbershop. The west elevation has several doors opening into the kitchen, etc.; likewise the south facade of the east-west wing.

Windows

Wood, double-hung, varying from 2/2 to 4/4 lights throughout. The third floor windows are 2/2 wood casement units crowned by a circular transom in the gabled dormer.

Roof

Gambrel roof, shingled; gable sided.

Chimneys

Stone.

Interior

Floor plans

Essentially and L-shaped building. The main or front runs north-south and the east-west wing is located on the north end of the structure. A combined employees living quarters and laundry was built behind and separate from the hotel. This was the same style as the hotel.

First Floor: the north-south wing contained the dining room, ladies parlor, hotel lobby, barber shop, staircase, check room, and storage with kitchen and pantry areas behind (on the west). The cost-most wing contained the original saloon and cardroom, men's toilet and two smaller card rooms.

Second Floor: contained within the roof area. there are thirty bedrooms, some single and others double, but all having a dormer window (two in the double rooms), staircase, toilets, service room, and central corridors.

Third Floor: Contains thirty-four rooms, smaller than those on the second floor, staircase, service room, and tank room - the hotel has its own water supply.

The building has a partial basement.

Stairway

An open staircase leads from the first floor to the second and third floors. Another staircase, enclosed, was a service staircase connecting all floors.

Floors

Tongue and groove pine.

Walls and ceiling finish

Plaster.

Fireplaces

Three, of native cobblestone.

Doors

Four-panel, wood.

Trim

Fine, elaborately molded.

Lighting

Electric.

Click on an image to see a larger drawing or photo.

The longest wing, the east front, measures 144 feet 8 inches by 55 feet nine inches including the porch. Three sets of double-paneled and lighted doors on the front facade lead into the dining room, the ladies parlor and the hotel lobby. Windows are wood, double-hung, varying from 2/2 to 4/4 lights throughout. The third floor windows are 2/2 wood casement units crowned by a circular transom in the gabled dormer.

The longest wing, the east front, measures 144 feet 8 inches by 55 feet nine inches including the porch. Three sets of double-paneled and lighted doors on the front facade lead into the dining room, the ladies parlor and the hotel lobby. Windows are wood, double-hung, varying from 2/2 to 4/4 lights throughout. The third floor windows are 2/2 wood casement units crowned by a circular transom in the gabled dormer.

Windows are wood, double-hung, varying from 2/2 to 4/4 lights throughout. The third floor windows are 2/2 wood casement units crowned by a circular transom in the gabled dormer.

Windows are wood, double-hung, varying from 2/2 to 4/4 lights throughout. The third floor windows are 2/2 wood casement units crowned by a circular transom in the gabled dormer.

The north-south wing contained the dining room, ladies parlor, hotel lobby, barber shop, staircase, check room, and storage with kitchen and pantry areas behind (on the west). The cost-most wing contained the original saloon and cardroom, men's toilet and two smaller card rooms.

The original Buffalo Bill Bar, which is still being used, was built in England. Made of oak and mahogany, it was shipped to the United States where it traveled by rail to the "Custer Station" in Montana, put on an oxen driven freight train and taken to Sheridan. It was then assembled on site. It has been said it was a gift from Queen Victoria of England for Buffalo Bill's private performance for her after the death of her husband.

The second floor is contained within the roof area. there are thirty bedrooms, some single and others double, but all having a dormer window (two in the double rooms), staircase, toilets, service room, and central corridors.

The third floor contains thirty-four rooms, smaller than those on the second floor, staircase, service room, and tank room - the hotel has its own water supply.

The north wing is 98 feet 5 inches by 47 feet 1 inch. The north facade has two single doors, one landing into the lobby, the other into the barbershop.

These drawings and photos are courtesy of the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS).