"When the Chickasaw Nation announced it was going to resurrect the Artesian Hotel, excitement broke out because the town of 4,800 had been pining for its old landmark that burned down in 1960.

The new version took shape when tribal officials broke ground on the multimillion dollar project Oct. 13 at the site with more than 100 community members, tribal citizens and city officials present.

Chickasaw Gov. Bill Anoatubby said the new hotel was an investment in the community by the 47,000-member tribe and a contribution to the area’s tourism market. Construction on the $30 million hotel is set to begin within months and be completed by 2013, officials said.

“This hotel will be a natural complement to the Chickasaw Cultural Center and may help usher in a new era of tourism in this part of the state,” Anoatubby said. “We believe the investment will benefit the local and state economy far into the future.”

Which is what Sulphur City Manager Bill Holley hopes.

“We have been literally excited about the prospect of rebuilding that grand old hotel for years. We think it will be the spark to move things forward.”"

Get the Story:
Chickasaws begin resurrection of Artesian Hotel (Indian Country Today 11/5)

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