Harder Hall

Harder Hall - Sebring, FL

The famous "Pink Lady" was named for its original developers Lewis F. Harder and Vincent Hall who began construction on the resort in 1925. The Schultze and Weaver construction firm that took on the project was also responsible for the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Florida. It was set to be the "Coral Gables of Central Florida" with a total of 2000 acres and 200 hotel rooms. It boasts a Spanish Colonial Revival Style architecture and included features such as 22 ft ceilings in the banquet room with french-style doors. Harder and Hall went bankrupt in the midst of building the resort and it was picked up by Congressman Edgar Raymond Kiess who had Vincent Hall return as the resident manager. It opened on January 21, 1928 on the short of Little Lake Jackson.

During its time open, it was known as a high class hotel where many well-known names spent time among its rooms and halls. It was also home to many golf tournaments and benefitted from its proximity to Sebring International Raceway.

The hotel closed in 1986 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. In 2022, it was purchased by Robert G. Blackmon of St. Petersburg for $4 million.

Interesting Notes:

• Known unofficially as the "Sebring Race Headquarters". Many pre- and post- race events were held there including award ceremonies.
• Was home to novelist Rex Beach for a period in 1929.
• Rex Beach's brother-in-law, famed comedian Fred Stone made headlines when he golfed there in 1929.
• Department store magnate S. S. Kresge spent his honeymoon at the resort.
• Statler Hotel founder Ellsworth Milton Statler spent winters there.
• Actress Vilma Ebsen made a visit to the hotel.
• Famous guests included actor Steve McQueen, Peter Revson, Dan Gurney, Mario Andretti, Count Alfonso de Portago, Briggs Cunningham, Paul Newman, Jim Garner, Dick Smothers, and Bruce Jenner.
• In the 30s, Walter Hagen faced off against Joe Kirkwood in an exhibition match at the resort.
•  Rube Walberg and novelist Rex Beach paired off for a round on the golf course.
• In the 1960s, golf stars Cary Middlecoff and Jim Ferree faced off in a televised "World Championship Golf" match.
• In October 1986, the LPGA Futures Tour established its home base at the resort