You can't help but notice it when your downtown Hotel McCartney is the tallest building in Texarkana and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The now-abandoned 10-story building still stands as mostly a shell of Texarkana's past. Back in its glory days the prestigious McCartney hotel was built in 1929 and was named after W.A. McCartney, Sr. a prominent Texarkana citizen.

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The hotel is located across from the historic Union Station adjacent to the Bi-State Justice Center. This was the place to stay when visitors came through by train and many soldiers stayed here during wartime. The lobby and mezzanine were easily accessible and the hotel had a ballroom and roof that were attached to the mezzanine with a beautiful skylight. The indoors were beautifully decorated in gold and silver trim with marble wainscotting and a curved marble staircase.

Over the years as railroad travel declined and gave way to air travel the hotel business declined as well. The hotel eventually shut its doors in the early 70s but was once back in the spotlight when a scene from the movie "Town That Dreaded Sundown," was filmed here. The hotel was vacant at that time but they built a movie set to look like the entrance to a theater, I remember because I played an extra in the scene. Many of my friends from high school were in this scene too but my scene was cut out right before I was to walk outside. That figures!

Today the McCartney Hotel still stands but for many, it has become an eyesore, and for many others a glimpse into Texarkana history. Every city has that one building that defines the town just by seeing it, for me, it's always been the McCartney Hotel.

You can't help but think the hallways of this abandoned hotel are haunted.

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See a recent video walk-through of this abandoned hotel. I think these guys were a little freaked out that the police station was right next door.

WARNING: Under no circumstances should you enter this property. By doing so you risk bodily harm and/or prosecution for trespassing on private property.

So, I guess the question remains, should this historic landmark hotel, stay or go?

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