The Peabody Hotel

Known the world over, the Peabody hotel is one of the top attractions in Memphis. A few months ago, our son, Carl, and his wife, Valerie, stayed here and upon learning that our travels would take us to Memphis, encouraged us to have a look at it.

www.peabodymemphis.com

It is luxuriously appointed, with the lobby centerpiece being a beautiful water fountain, sculptured from a single piece of Italian marble. What makes this fountain even more memorable is the fact that it serves as the daytime home of the "Peabody Ducks." Precisely at 11:00am each day, the five mallards (1 drake and 4 hens) are paraded from the rooftop "Duck Palace"; herded into an elevator; and then marched across a red carpet to the lobby fountain. It is a huge spectacle! At 5:00 pm, the process is reversed, so the ducks can spend the night in their rooftop accommodation.

YouTube - Peabody Ducks on Animal Planet's Most Outrageous Pet Digs.

One day, following the morning ritual, we met with the current Duck Master, Anthony, who gave us a wonderful two hour tour of the hotel. We learned that many famous folks have stayed at the Peabody (e.g. Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Queen Noor of Jordan, and every U.S. President since Harry Truman). We had a fabulous time! The staff at the Peabody were all very friendly and helpful, especially Anthony.

The Peabody hotel, circa 1921.

The beautiful marble fountain, as seen from the mezzanine. All of the flowers are kept fresh daily.

Duck Master Anthony delivering his introduction just before the Duck March...

...and here they come...

...finally entering the fountain.

The official "Legend of the Ducks."

The Memorabilia Room on the mezzanine level.

Included here is an original brass cash register from the first Peabody...

...and an early telephone, also from the original hotel.

Elvis Presley's signing bonus contract with RCA records, which was signed in the lobby in 1955.

The shoeshine stand from the first Peabody hotel.

Current Duck Master, Anthony, in front of a portrait of Edward Pembroke, the first Duck Master. He served in that position for 51 years.

Location of the rooftop Duck Palace. The front of the building was designed to hide the maintenance equipment for the hotel, while the Duck Palace is around back.

The ducks have their very own pool within the living quarters...

...along with a replica of the hotel.

None of the "wood" on the elaborate lobby ceiling is real, but rather plaster which is painted to look like wood.

Off the lobby is the Lansky Brothers Clothier store. They provided suits, shirts, and shoes for Elvis and many of his contemporaries (e.g. Johnny Cash etc.).