Wright Hotel Museum

The Wright Hotel, located on the corner of Market Street and Second Avenue in downtown Chatsworth, is one of our area's most unique pieces of history.  Owned by the Whitfield-Murray Historical Society for the last forty years, the Hotel is twice listed on the National Register of Historic Places--as a part of the Chatsworth Historic District but also as an individual property.  It was built in 1909 by Tom and Laura Holbrook Wright using locally produced bricks and lumber.  The three-story structure was operated as a hotel for six decades.

A large red brick house with a spacious wrap-around porch, white railings, and multiple windows, surrounded by green trees and colorful flowering bushes.
Celebration of the Wright Hotel's 115-year history from 1909 to 2024, featuring an illustration of the historic brick hotel building with porch balconies on a black background.

115 Years of History

Logo commemorating 115 years of Wright Hotel, from 1909 to 2024, featuring an illustration of the historic hotel building with a black background and white text.

   The Chatsworth Depot and the Wright Hotel, owned by the Whitfield-Murray Historical Society,  The Hotel is celebrating its 115th anniversary with special displays and souvenirs. Admission to tours and trains will be free, but donations are appreciated.


   The Chatsworth Depot, constructed in 1905 by the Louisville & Nashville Railroad, is the oldest public building in town. The passenger waiting room contains a museum showcasing the talc industry in Murray County. The station agent’s office and the freight room contain historic railroad artifacts and exhibits related to the depot. The 1960 caboose is located behind the Depot. 

  Around the corner from the Depot, located on First Avenue, is the historic Wright Hotel at the intersection of Market Street and Second Avenue.  Built with locally produced materials, the Hotel opened in 1909, and the 115th anniversary of that historic occasion is the focus of events there over the next year.  The business operated into the 1960s, sometimes under the name “Chatsworth Hotel,” and today is a double listing on the National Register of Historic Places—first as an individual site and again as a part of the downtown Chatsworth historic district. 

A property of the historical society for almost four decades now, the site will feature some new photographic displays as well as offering souvenir T-shirts, buttons, magnets, and coasters to commemorate the Hotel’s first 115 years! Proceeds from these items, as well as donations, will go toward the continued preservation of the amazing three-story building.

   The Historical Society would like to thank the 2024 business partners who make the programs possible. Many have been supporting Second Saturdays for many years.  Partners are Peeples Funeral Home, Bradley’s Ace Hardware, Bojangles, Captain D’s & Krystal restaurants, Chatsworth First Community Bank, and the Murray County Elected Officials. Be sure to tell them you appreciate their support of the historic properties of Chatsworth anytime you visit or contact one of these.

A sign made of wooden planks with white painted letters reading 'HISTORIC WRIGHT HOTEL' in front of a brick building with white columns.
A large, two-story house with a wraparound porch, brick and white siding, and a steep roof with dormer windows. There is a grassy lawn in front and some trees around the house.