The Jerome Grand Hotel is one of the largest National Historic landmark buildings in Jerome, Arizona. The building was constructed in 1926 and was opened in 1927 as the United Verde Hospital. The hospital served the residents of Jerome until the mid-1950s and it was closed after mining activities in the town decreased, which led people to move to other areas for better opportunities.
The self-service elevator that was installed in the hospital was unique in its time. It was built by the local mining company when Jerome was a
flourishing mining town. The area that currently serves as the ground floor lobby of the hotel was the hospital’s emergency entrance. The elevator was used to transport patients to the upper floors. People visited the hospital from around the world to ride this system which is considered the first self-service elevator (meaning it did not require an operator) in the state of Arizona.
In the year 1994, the building was purchased by Altherr family from the Phelps Dodge Mining Corporation and the restoration to its current glory as the Jerome Grand Hotel started. All efforts were initiated towards maintaining the interior and exterior integrity of the building and it was reopened in the year 1996 as the Jerome Grand Hotel. Despite its age, the self-service elevator is still running fine and hotel guests are given lift keys when they check in so that they can ride to their rooms on the upper floors.