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RARE 1952 Gilmer Hotel Coffee Shop Menu Columbus Mississippi History Booklet InsertsA scarce and unusually complete survivor. While individual Gilmer Hotel menus do occasionally appear, examples retaining the original historical pages and multiple inserts are seldom encountered. The Columbus-Lowndes Public Library also has a documented collection of Gilmer Hotel Coffee Shop menus from the 1939–1954 period, confirming that these menus were produced with inserts and historical material.This is an exceptionally rare, completely intact vintage multi-page dinner menu and historical guide from The Gilmer Hotel Coffee Shop in Columbus, Mississippi. This item is explicitly dated at the top of the dinner page: Wednesday, April 2, 1952. The Gilmer Hotel was demolished in 1963, original items of this caliber are incredibly scarce. Similar multi-page historical editions from this era are preserved in university library archives (such as the University of Southern Mississippi Special Collections). HISTORICAL CONTENT INCLUDED:
Aside from mid-century restaurant pricing (e.g., $2.50 Choice Rib Eye Steaks, $1.50 Stewed Oysters), the multi-page interior serves as a local history guidebook. It features detailed text, folklore, and beautiful illustrations covering:
• Local Choctaw Indian history (Tombigbee river naming)
• Civil War history, the Battle of Shiloh, and local military figures
• A comprehensive guide to 9 specific local Antebellum homes (The Colonade, Twelve Gables, Homewood, The Woodward, Riverview, Shadowlawn, and more)
• The history of local landmarks like Catfish Alley and Mississippi State College for WomenCONDITION REPORT:
Good to Very Good Vintage Condition. The booklet is completely intact with no missing pages. The text and historical illustrations remain incredibly crisp, bold, and highly legible. Because this was an actively used restaurant menu, it shows authentic vintage wear including visible ring stains (likely from coffee/water glasses) and mild age-toning on the interior pink pages. Please view all photos closely to evaluate the physical condition. Item in the photos is the exact item you are offerding on and will receive upon purchase. Thanks and happy offerding!
