HomeMy WebLinkAboutBrazos Valley Hotels and Boarding Houses History (1859-1939); essayStories of Long Ago -Bill Page - 1856 - 1939
Hotels and Boarding Houses
To persons visiting Boonville, Brazos County, wishing to put up at a
good house, and with a clever lady, we would respectfully call their
attention to the Boonville Hotel, kept by Mrs. E.R. Montgomery.
Washington American, 2 April 1856, page 2
Notice. Two gentlemen wanted, exempt from war service, to take charge
of two Hotels, one at Millican and the other at Navasota. Satisfactory
references required. Apply at either place to Mrs. Lofton. (Houston)
Tri-Weekly Telegraph, 13 February 1863, page 2
Notice -The Southern Congress Hotel will be closed from this date.
Thankful to my many patrons for their custom, I hope to re-open under
more favorable auspices, when the war is over. J.A. Beckham, Millican.
The Houston Daily Telegraph, 4 April 1864, page 2
1866: May 12 -John H. Hudson and John W. Rankin sold the hotel known
as the °Millican House" (including furniture) in the town of
Millican to J.J. Carey. Brazos County Deed Records, Book G, pages
446-447
[ad] Exchange Hotel, Millican, Texas, Purdy & Co., Proprietors.
Galveston Daily News, 5 January 1867, page 4.
Millican, March 13th, 1867. It is very cold, sleeting and blowing, and
the houses here are not sufficient to protect us either from the wind or
sleet. As I write the sleet covers my paper and my fingers get so cold
I cannot wield my pen. It is an extraordinary spell of weather for the
time and place ... The houses here are temporary and indifferent at that
- This comes of the place being only a Rail Road station ... [article
continues at length] ... But enough. It has sleeted all day, sometimes
very fast and heavy and has fallen to the depth of three or four inches,
decidedly the coldest and worst spell of the winter. Northing but the
attentive care of the clever gentleman who is now the proprietor of the
Exchange Hotel could have kept us from suffering; and as high an
estimate as we place upon our kind and hospitable friend the Major, late
proprietor of this house, I must say to you and your readers that Mr.
D.C. Applewhite has few superiors as an Host and will render all who
call upon him pleasant and happy. Yours, C. Dallas Weekly Herald, 6
April 1867, page 1
Bryan ... There are three hotels already, and a large new one nearly
finished ... Galveston Daily News, 18 April 1867, page 2.
[ad] Central Hotel. South side of the depot, near the postoffice,
Millican, Texas. Dr. K.W. Skinner, proprietor ... Galveston Daily News,
26 June 1867, page 2.
[ad] Beckham House, Millican, Texas. This house, having been
thoroughly refitted and elegantly furnished, is now open for reception
of transient and permanent guests. The table is furnished with all the
market affords. In connection with this house is a number one Livery
Stable, with attentive hostlers. State office at the Beckham House.
J.L. Beckham, proprietor and stage agent. Galveston Daily News, 2 July
1867, pages.
We take pleasure in calling attention to the card of the Beckham House,
Millican, Texas, in to-day's paper. We know the proprietor of old,
but since we have visited Millican, he has got a new house, and we have
the assurance of one of his recent guests that he keeps the best house
to be found this side of Houston or Galveston. We believe the assertion
for we have in bygone days had personal evidence of Beckham's capacity
as a hotel keeper. We say, then, to all our friends visiting the coast
cities, either on business or pleasure, to call at the °Beckham
House," Millican, if they want good fare, prompt attention and
reasonable charges. As soon as the Railroad is extended to Bryan he
will be found at that place. Dallas Weekly Herald, 13 July 1867, page
2
J.S. Beckham, proprietor of the Exchange Hotel at Millican, shot and
killed a man named Jack Coleman, at that place, on Sunday evening. The
verdict of the coroner's jury was "justifiable homicide." Galveston
Daily News, 29 August 1867, page 2.
[ad] At Bryan City -the terminus of the Central Railroad -Messrs.
Prewett & Holliday have the Commercial House, a very fine hotel, which
they advertise. They have the reputation of providing excellent
accommodation for the traveling public, and we take a pleasure in
recommending their house to all who go to the thriving city of Bryan.
Galveston Daily News, 9 November 1867, page 2.
From Our Traveling Agent. Shaw House, Bryan, Feb. 19th, 1868 ... I am
still making the Shaw House my headquarters, where I find an old friend
Mr. A.A. Burk, formerly of Galveston, ably discharging the duties of the
office, and I doubt not will be a valuable acquisition to the Shaw
House, which is, in my estimation, equal to any in the interior of the
State, and does credit to the obliging proprietress, Mrs. S.A. Shaw.
Galveston Daily News, 25 February 1868, page 3.
[ad] Brazos House, East Side of the Railroad, Bryan City, Texas, W.H.
Bowman, Proprietor. A good stable is connected with the House.
Galveston Daily News, 6 March 1868, page 2.
We regret to learn that Mr. J.C. Goodwin, of the Goodwin House, Bryan,
Texas, was shot and mortally wounded recently by a Mr. Mosely. The
affair grew out of the settlement of a hotel bill. Mr. Goodwin was
highly esteemed, and kept a good house of entertainment. -Houston
Journal. Flake's Bulletin (Galveston), 11 March 1868, page 1
Bryan ... The hotels, barrooms and places of amusements seem to be
doing a good business, all of which is evidence of thrift and prosperity
... The Commercial Hotel, under the management of Messrs. Faulkner and
Purdy, is in full blast of success, and keeps up the reputation of a
first class hotel .... Galveston Daily News, 7 April 1868, page 3.
A fight occurred in Bryan on Wednesday evening at the Purdy House
between two barbers, which resulted in the serious wounding of each by
pistol shot. The name of one of the parties was Bill Welborne and the
informant thinks the other's name was John Watts. (Marshall) Texas
Republican, 9 May 1868, page 2.
[ads] Beckham House, Bryan, Texas. Mrs. M.J. Beckham, proprietress, a
good livery stable is connected with the House. Commercial Hotel,
seventy five yards northwest of the railroad depot, Bryan City, Texas.
John O. Hill, Grantville, Ga.; B.F. Davis, Anderson, Texas. Re-opened
June 9th, 1868, under the above management; promises the best possible
fare and accommodations. The house is large, commodious, and the best
ventilated establishment in Bryan. Having our own cows, we have
constantly on hand an abundant supply of the nicest milk and butter,
perfectly fresh and sweet. Our porters receive checks at cars and
deliver baggage to guests at Hotel. Dallas Herald, 15 August 1868, page
4.
A shooting affair occurred at the Brazos House, between a young
gentleman of the Texas Express Company and a Mr. William Key, in which
the latter was wounded. Examined before the committing magistrate and
released. -Bryan News Letter, Sept. 19. Flake's Bulletin
(Galveston), 20 September 1868, page 4
Joe Grossmayer gave his power of attorney to N. Grossmayer, to sell his
interest in the Shaw Hotel; dated 5 Oct. 1868. Brazos County Deed
Records, Book I, page 287
Isidor Grossmayer gave his power of attorney to N. Grossmayer, to sell
his interest in the Shaw Hotel; dated 10 Oct. 1868. Brazos County Deed
Records, Book I, page 281
Letter from Bryan ... My stay here has been rendered pleasant by the
very comfortable accommodations I found at the Commercial Hotel. The
beds are clean and neat, and unsurpassed in point of comfort. Parties
traveling this way will do well to sample the accommodations at the
Commercial Hotel. It is kept by Mrs. S.A. Shaw, who is well known as a
lady who thoroughly understands hotel keeping. Galveston Daily News,
19 March 1869, page 3.
Bryan is noted for its miserable hotels. It requires a violent stretch
of the imagination to grasp the idea that they are anything but second
class barns. Any person who will open a clean, neat hotel in Bryan, and
furnish victuals cooked in such a manner as to make them palatable,
would prove a public benefactor. This notice is gratuitous. Houston
Union, 5 August 1869, page 1
Lanterns to light the hotel tables in Bryan, are one of the novelties
of that progressive village. Houston Union, 5 August 1869, page 1
The Bryan News Letter, 19th inst., says: On Monday night last we had
one of the most terrific storms that has visited our place for years.
The unfinished hotel of D. Mosely, opposite the Commercial, was the only
building that was blown down by the tempest. Galveston Tri-Weekly News,
22 November 1869, page 3
[ad] Bowman House, East Side of the Railroad, Bryan, Texas ...
Favorite Hotel ... A good livery stable is attached to the House. W.A.
Bowman, proprietor. Galveston Weekly Civilian, 6 April 1871, page 3.
Bryan ...Afire broke out yesterday morning in the Brazos Hotel,
totally destroying the hotel and three or four other buildings in the
same block. The fire was discovered too late to save anything, several
boarders lost everything they had, one of them lost $ 3000 in currency.
The fire originated in the stove and the canvas overhead caught. There
was no wind, or the whole block would have been burned. The post office
on the same block was saved with its contents. Loss $ 12,000, insurance
$ 2500. Galveston Tri Weekly News, 27 December 1872, page 2.
The Appeal says: Bryan is making a steady growth. Several new
buildings have just been completed, among them the elegant resident of
our associate, G.I. Goodwin, Esq., and the new hotel of Mrs. Scallorn,
near the passenger depot. When Mr. Hearne completes the repairs on the
Goodwin building, in the same vicinity, we shall be well supplied with
hotels.... Galveston Daily News, 13 July 1873, page 4.
A crazy man, whose name is Bragg, from Montgomery, Alabama, made his
entree into Bryan on the 5th inst., and jumped from the second story of
the Prima Vista Hotel on the same night, but, strange to say, received
but very little injury. He has since been passed upon as a dangerous
character to run at large, and placed under the charge of the marshal of
the city. Galveston Daily News, 15 September 1874, page 2.
Bryan ... Mrs. Sarah A. Shaw, proprietress of the Primavista House,
died this morning at seven o'clock, of consumption. Galveston Daily
News, 25 October 1874, page 1.
Millican ... This morning a man, by the name of J.C. Sherman, formerly
employed by the H. & T.C.R.R., as a laborer on the section near
Wellborn, was found dead in his room at the Exchange Hotel ... Galveston
Daily News, 28 December 1877, page 1
Bryan ... On Saturday night Judge Barmore was seriously injured by a
fall from the second story of the Prima Vesta hotel. Galveston Daily
News, 16 September 1879, page 1.
Bryan ... Several citizens contemplate building a fine three story
brick hotel. Estimates are now in the hands of a contractor. Galveston
Daily News, 27 May 1882, page 1.
Bryan ... Mr. John P. Campbell, proprietor of the Central Hotel, died
and was buried today by the Odd Fellow's lodge. Mr. Campbell had been
sick quite a while before his death. Galveston Daily News, 31 January
1883, page 1.
Millican ... Alfred McCoy, son of the late Colonel A.L. McCoy,
deceased, was found lying in bed yesterday morning at the McMichael
hotel in an unconscious condition from the effects of paralysis of one
side of the body. He remained unconscious till 4 o'clock this morning
when he died. His loss is mourned by his remaining two brothers and
many friends. Galveston Daily News, 18 October 1883, page 4.
Bryan ... The old burned block where the Washington Hotel stood will,
it is understood, be rebuilt at once. Galveston Daily News, 29 January
1884, page 1.
Bryan ... The new hotel project is on the boom, and stock is now being
subscribed. It is thought enough will be subscribed to warrant the
building. Galveston Daily News, 31 January 1884, page 1.
Bryan ... Stock in the new hotel is being taken up rapidly by citizens,
and no doubt Messrs. Stoddard and Randall will erect the hotel.
Galveston Daily News, 3 February 1884, page 1.
Bryan ... The stockholders of the new hotel met this morning. A
committee was appointed to obtain a charter, consisting of Frank Clarke,
J.D. Thomas and Captain J.S. Foulkes [Fowlkes]. Colonel Stoddard was
appointed to still solicit stock. The hotel, no doubt, will be built
and will add to the beauty and business of the town. Galveston Daily
News, 12 February 1884, page 1.
Bryan ... Plans and specifications have been received for the new
hotel, and work is expected to begin inside of three weeks. Galveston
Daily News, 5 March 1884, page 1.
Bryan ... The new hotel is now assured, the ground has been secured,
and the full amount of funds subscribed. Galveston Daily News, 7 March
1884, page 4.
Bryan ... The new hotel, a plan of which we have seen, will be one of
the handsomest and most convenient hotels in the state. Galveston Daily
News, 10 March 1884, page 3.
[ad] Notice to Contractors. Sealed proposals are invited for the
erection and completion of the Stoddard Hotel in Bryan, Texas, until
noon, March 24, 1884. The plans and specifications can be seen at the
bank of Clark, Bryan & Howell, Bryan, Texas. Proposals will be received
on the entire work or parts thereof. All proposals must be filed with
the Chairman Building Committee. The right is reserved to reject any or
all proposals received. Guy M. Bryan, Jr., Chairman Building Committee.
Galveston Daily News, 15 March 1884, page 2
Bryan ... Colonel George M. Figh, of Dallas, is in Bryan and will begin
work on the new hotel soon. Galveston Daily News, 4 April 1884, page
1.
Bryan is constantly improving. There is now a great demand for labor
of all kinds. Ten new brick stores are being built and contracted for.
Work has also commenced on the new brick hotel.... Galveston Daily News,
6 April 1884, page 1.
Bryan ... The work on the new hotel has been delayed for two weeks on
account of not having brick. Galveston Daily News, 15 June 1884, page
2.
Bryan ... The new hotel will be completed and ready for business by
September 1. The building adds much to the better appearance of the old
burnt block. Galveston Daily News, 31 July 1884, page 2.
Bryan ... The new hotel is about completed, and has been leased by the
stockholders to Mr. Mooring, of Navasota, who will handsomely furnish
the hotel and have it opened for guests by September. Galveston Daily
News, 12 August 1884, page 3.
Millican ...Afire occurred here this morning at 2:30 o'clock,
consuming the largest business block in this town, commencing at the
east corner, burning two houses unoccupied, and thence to the hotel, all
belonging to W.H. McMichael. Loss $2000; no insurance.... The fire is
supposed to be of incendiary origin. Galveston Daily News, 2 October
1884, page 1.
Bryan ... The new hotel was formally opened tonight for business, and a
banquet was given to the stockholders and a few invited guests by
Colonel H.B. Stoddard. Mr. J.L. Hearne contributed to the banquet by
supplying the table with a fine crate of wine. Toasts were indulged in
complimentary to those who fostered the undertaking, and the new
enterprise starts out with the good will of our citizens and the
community. The hotel is one of the finest and neatest in central Texas,
and the stockholders are desirous that it shall receive a liberal
patronage from the public. Mrs. Tirado has charge of the Stoddard
House, which insures patronage and success. Galveston Daily News, 2
December 1884, page 2
Bryan ... The young men gave a sociable at the Stoddard Hotel which was
well attended. Galveston Daily News, 28 November 1885, page 2.
Bryan ... Mr. Shalars, who has had charge of the Stoddard Hotel, has
sold out to Mr. Barnes, formerly of Houston. Mr. Shalars will remove to
Louisiana. Galveston Daily News, 14 September 1886, page 2.
Bryan, Tex., January 4 -Mrs. J.P. Campbell, proprietress of the
Central Hotel, and an old and well known resident of Bryan, died this
morning, aged 69 years. The remains were buried this afternoon.
Galveston Daily News, 5 January 1888, page 8.
*Otto Boehme completed an addition to his hotel, (weekly) Bryan Eagle,
14 August 1890, page 5, col.2
Bryan, Tex., Dec. 30 -The grand ball, which has been the foremost
topic of discussion among the society people of Bryan for the past three
weeks, occurred last night. It was one of the largest and most
fashionable assemblies the city of Bryan has witnessed for many a long
day ... The banquet was given at the Exchange hotel, and through the
courtesy and hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. J.S. Mooring, host and hostess,
that feature of the evening's amusement was very successful ....
Dallas Morning News, 1 January 1892, page 6
*Ernest Rayford, a cook at the Exchange Hotel, died after taking
tapeworm medicine. (weekly) Bryan Eagle, 18 April 1895, page 3, col.2;
25 April 1895, page 11, col.2
*Whitney Montgomery died; born Giles Co., TN, 26 June 1839; moved to
Clarksville, Red River Co., TX in 1843; his father & brother died there
in 1846; moved with his mother & 3 sisters to Springfield, Limestone Co.
in 1851; year later he joined his uncle Harvey Mitchell at Boonville,
where he & his mother ran hotel; his mother & sisters died there; served
in Confederate army; after war, he farmed; married Alice, sister of Dr.
J.P. Mitchell in 1865 or 1866; she died in 1889; left 7 children; Mason;
member of Ancient Order of United Workmen & Knights of Honor; died at
Bryan; buried at Boonville. (weekly) Bryan Eagle, 15 August 1895, page
6, col.2; 12 September 1895, page 6, col.5. Galveston Daily News, 12
August 1895, page 2, col.6
Elijah Spell, aged 71 years, 9 months, 17 days; died at Spell's Hotel
in Bryan from injuries received in a fall; left sons T.H. & Cole Spell
of Bryan; buried Bryan cemetery. (weekly) Bryan Eagle, 7 November 1895,
page 6, col.4. Bryan Daily Eagle, 7 January 1896, page 1, col.4.
Galveston Daily News, 4 November 1895, page 3, col.4. (pages filmed out
of order).
*Mrs. Lucy Belle Mooring died; aged 56 years, 4 months, 5 days; born
VA; maiden name Taliaferro; married J.S. Mooring in Grimes Co.; left 2
brothers George & C.S. Taliafferro in Navasota; moved to Bryan about 10
years earlier; husband ran Exchange Hotel; Episcopal; left son Seth
Mooring & daughter Mrs. D.C. DeMaret. (weekly) Bryan Eagle, 12 August
1897, page 3, col.2; 26 August 1897, page 6, col.4.
Bryan, Tex., Dec. 23 -The Texas Bakery and boarding-house and
practically all its contents were destroyed by fire at midnight last
night. It was a large frame building and burned rapidly. There were
about thirty people in the house and some of them barely had time to
escape by climbing down the gallery posts from the second story. Louis
Hanus and Mr. Maxwell, boarders, were burned about the head, hands and
arms. The origin of the fire could not be learned. Mr. Boehme places
his loss at $7,000, with $2,000 insurance. Dallas Morning News, 24
December 1901, page 3.
Bryan, Tex., Jan. 7 - By invitation of the citizens of Bryan, a party
of International and Great Northern officials from Palestine, headed by
G. Noble, assistant general manager, visited the city last night and
were entertained at a banquet at the Exchange Hotel ... (article
continues at length) ... Dallas Morning News, 2 January 1902, page 3
College Station, Tex., March 2 -The Agricultural and Mechanical
College Club opened its new club house, the Shirley, on March 1. The
building, which is a substantial two-story structure, is elegantly
finished and furnished throughout and provided with all modern
conveniences, as water, lights, sewers, etc. While the carpenters were
not quite through with the work and are now putting on the finishing
touches, it was decided not to wait longer, but to open upon the first
of the month. The opening was a very successful one, every room in the
building being taken, and some twenty or twenty-five instructors and
officers of the college applying for table and board. Besides
furnishing accomodations for roomers and relieving the crowded
conditions at the mess hall, the new enterprise will add greatly to the
pleasure of living at the college, especially for the unmarried portion
of the faculty. Dallas Morning News, 5 March 1906, page 6
"College Station," Houston Post, 1 April 1906, page 30. There was a
dance at the Shirley Hotel
°The A. and M.," Houston Daily Post, 28 October 1906, page 15.
Party at the Shirley Hotel
"College Station," Houston Post, 10 February 1907, page 38. The K.K.
dancing club gave a hop at the Shirley Hotel
Mr. J.T. Maloney, for a consideration of $20,000, on yesterday
purchased from Mr. J.S. Mooring the Exchange Hotel property in this
city. Mr. Maloney will take charge of the hotel this morning and give
personal attention to the business. He announces that as early as
practicable the hotel will be greatly enlarged and improved. He is hte
owner of the one story building on the south side of the hotel, and the
one story building on the north side is the property of Mrs. H. Rohde,
so that both buildings are now available for enlarging the hotel by
building them up two or three stories higher, as the demands of the
situation may warrant. Mr. Maloney says such improvements will be made
as will make the hotel adequate to all demands upon it. The changes
noted above will more than double the rooming capacity of the house, and
as Mr. Maloney's plans contemplate a complete remodeling and
improvement of the interior, the hotel, when completed, will fill a want
which has been keenly felt here for a long time. It is to be made a
first class, up-to-date hostlery and the outlay necessary to accomplish
this result will not be sparingly made. The Exchange, so long conducted
by the late Capt. J.S. Mooring, bears a splendid reputation throughout
the state, and is a valuable piece of property, central and conviently
located. The improvements will be made with a view of securing light
and ventilation, as well as other advantages. The Eagle is glad to
chronicle this progressive move on the part of Mr. Maloney, who has the
capital and business ability to fully carry out the enterprise.
(weekly) Bryan Eagle, 11 April 1907, page 7
°A. and M. College Notes," Galveston Daily News, 24 October 1907,
page 3. Shirley Hotel.
"College Station," Houston Chronicle, 22 December 1907, section 2, page
16. Mrs. Hibbs, who has managed the Shirley hotel for two seasons, will
resign as of January 1 and move to Galveston.
"College Station," Houston Chronicle, 29 December 1907, section 2, page
9. Mrs. L.A. Hibbs has resigned as manager of the Shirley
"College Station," Houston Chronicle, 1 March 1908, section 2, page 10.
There was a dance at the Shirley.
College Station, Tex., Oct. 23 - At a meeting of the stockholders of
the Shirley last night, Profs. J.C. Nagle, F.E. Smith, and C.B.
Campbbell, the directory subsequently elected Prof. Nagle president and
Prof. Cambell secretary and treasurer. The treasurer's report showed
a fairly good condition. The management of W.H. Stillwell and wife was
highly commended. The Shirley Corporation is a voluntary organization
of a number of residents of the campus to provide hotel accomodations
for the numerous visitors who from time to time have business with
campus people. The Shirley has now been running for three years.
Dallas Morning News, 24 October 1908, page 14
"College Station," Houston Chronicle, 22 November 1908, section 2, page
14. Bachelors and young women gave a dance at the Shirley.
College Station, Tex., Feb. 7 ... The young men of the publication
society of the college had a banquet at the Shirley Hotel Saturday.
Dallas Morning News, 8 February 1909, page 7
"College Station," Galveston Daily News, 21 February 1909, page 24.
Campus children held annual masquerade dance at the Shirley Hotel.
College Station, Tex., Feb. 23 -The young men of Dallas County,
attending the A.& M. College of Texas, who compose the Dallas Club, had
their annual banquet this evening in the large dining hall of the
Shirley Hotel. It was a very pleasant affair. The following was the
menu:
Oyster Cocktail and Crackers
Asparagus Tips on Lettuce a la Creme
Tenderloin Fish and Tartar Sauce
Saratoga Chips
Sweet Pickles and Celery
Stuffed Turkey, Oyster Dressing
Waldorf Salad
Fresh Strawberry Ice Cream
Nut Cakes
Cakes a la Napoleon
Assorted Nuts
Assorted Fruits
Cream Chocolate, Hot
Fruit Punch
[The article then lists all the members of the Dallas Club].
Dallas Morning News, 24 February 1909, page 3
"College Social Affairs and Personals," Bryan Daily Eagle, 1 January
1910, page 2. "One of the most delightful affairs given at College was
the dinner served Monday evening at the Shirley, for the young ladies of
the campus and those of the house party at the Nagle house ..."
°College Station," Galveston Daily News, 6 February 1910, pages
24-25. Activities at Shirley Hotel
About 3:15 this afternoon the Campbell Hotel, located on Fannin Street
one block west of the I.& G.N. station was discovered to be ablaze, and
before the alarm could be given, the entire front of the two-story
wooden building was a seething mass of flames. Mrs. Dr. Sybil Von
Craigh, who occupied the lower front apartments, emerged from her door
in flames, and ran into the street with her hair and clothing on fire.
She is badly burned on the face and over her body. She was given
medical attention immediately by Dr. Oliver and it is hoped that her
injuries may not prove to be as serious as now feared. She is being
cared for at the home of Mrs. J.E. Batte. In a remarkably short time
the entire building was burning and neighboring buildings were prevented
from catching only by the most arduous work. The fire was unusually hot
but there was a good water pressure which enabled the firemen to keep
the flames from being communicated to nearby buildings. The origin of
the fire is unknown. Mrs. L.O. Campbell, the proprietress of the hotel,
was down town when the alarm was given. The entire contents of the
house were lost, including the personal property of a number of the
occupants, who saved nothing except the clothes they had on. The
building was owned by B. Sbisa of College, who carried insurance of
$4,200, and his total loss is estimated at $10,000. The furnishings of
the hotel were valued at $4,000 and only partially covered by insurance.
The loss of clothing and other effects of the occupants of the hotel,
together with their insurance, if any, could not be ascertained. The
building was one of the old landmarks of the city. It was the second
church building to be erected in Bryan by the congregation of the First
Baptist Church, their first church building which stood in the
northeastern section of the city was burned in 1868, and this building
was erected soon after. The second story was used by the members of
Brazos Union Lodge No. 129 A.F. and A.M. as a temple and the lodge
acquired the property when the Baptists bought the lots on which their
present church edifice stands. Dr. F.M. Law was pastor for many years
in the old building, as well as a number of other prominent Baptist
preachers of a quarter of a century ago. A number of great revivals
were held in the old church, notably one by the late Major W.A. Penn, at
which a very large number were converted and Bryan was stirred as never
before or since. In this building the Free Baptist College was founded
by Rev. A.M. Stewart and conducted very successfully for several years.
The Mason lodge sold the property to Mr. Sbisa of the A. and M. College
after purchasing their lot on Main Street, and Mr. Sbisa remodeled the
house and fixed it up for a hotel. It was leased by Mrs. L.O. Campbell
and has been conducted as a hotel by her for the past two or three
years. Bryan Daily Eagle, 14 July 1913, page 2, col.3
"Dinner and Theater Party," Bryan Daily Eagle, 16 October 1915, page 3.
"Mrs. Charles F. Hostetter of the Shirley Hotel, College, entertained
her girl friends of the night service of the Bryan telephone exchange at
dinner Thursday ..."
"Hallowe'en Party for the Little Folks," Bryan Daily Eagle, 6 November
1915, page 4. "Mr. and Mrs. Charles F. Hostetter of the Shirley Hotel
gave the little folks on the campus a Hallowe'en party Saturday night
..." [Lists the children who attended.]
°In Early Days," Bryan Daily Eagle, 22 January 1927. °One of the
brothers, Dr. E.M. Millican, built a home, a big two-story log house on
his grant of land, the spot being near the center of the place where the
town of Millican now stands. Dr. Millican's home was Millican, per
se, for it served not only as a residence, but also as a hotel, a
restaurant and a stage coach station, and met almost every necessity in
the newly formed town. The old Millican home with its doublelog walls
stood through all the years, as if defying Time's decay, until only a
few years ago when it was torn down."
"In Early Days," Bryan Daily Eagle, 29 January 1927, page 2. °The
leading hotels, remembered by early residents of Bryan, and which served
as travelers' inns for the restless and adventurous population of that
period, as they arrived in Texas by stage, by railroad, by wagon and on
horseback, were few. The Commercial Hotel on what is now the corner of
East 27th Street and Tabor Avenue, and the Bowman Hotel, atwo-story
wooden building stood where the Emory apartment house is now located.
Mrs. Sara Shaw, the mother of Mrs. Spencer Ford and Mrs. A.C. Brietz,
two women well remembered in Bryan, was a woman of more than usual
vision and business ability. She came to Bryan °In the Early Days"
and built atwo-story boarding house on the corner located at West 24th
Street and Bryan Avenue. This select boarding house Mrs. Shaw operated
successfully for a few years and then sold the place to Col. T.D.
Wilson, father of Mrs. M.W. Sims, and grandfather of Dr. B.U. Sims and
Milton Sims of this city ... Mrs. Sarah Shaw later bought the Bowman
Hotel from the owner, Capt. James I. Bowman. A few years later the
hotel caught fire and was burned to the ground one Christmas morning.
After the fire Mrs. Shaw immediately began plans for rebuilding on the
same site; this time the largest and finest hotel in this section of
Texas was built. It was the pride of Bryan and Brazos County, the Prima
Vista Hotel."
Bryan, Texas, Feb. 10 -The Meads Hotel, an old landmark and said to
be the oldest building in Bryan, is being removed from the corner of
Tabor Avenue and Twenty-Seventh Street, where it has stood for nearly
seventy years, to lots in the eastern part of the city. The building
was moved in from old Boonville in 1866 when the Houston & Texas Central
Railroad reached here, and the new town of Bryan was founded and the
county seat moved from old Boonville to the new town of Bryan and place
on the lots from which the hotel is now being moved. It was Bryan's
first postoffice, the postmaster being Lon Moore, who was appointed by
President U.S. Grant. He served for a number of years and was succeeded
by the late A.D. McConnico, who was appointed by President Hayes. Mr.
McConnico moved the postoffice from the old building to more pretentious
quarters on Main Street. The sills of the building are of solid hewn
logs, fastened together at the corners with great oak pins and the
entire foundation timbers are as sound today as they were when first put
together at Boonville nearly a century ago. IT was used as a hotel
while at old Boonville and hundreds of the early history makers of Texas
have been sheltered beneath its roof. Dallas Morning News, 11 February
1931, section 1, page 11
°Bryan of Half Century Ago is Pictured by H.O. Boatwright, Who Had
Grown with the Community," Bryan Daily Eagle, 3 May 1929. His family
moved to Bryan in 1868. The interview said, in part: We spent the
night at the Prima Vista Hotel, which stood on the lot now occupied by
the Emory Apartments. The Prima Vista was an imposing two story
building with a wide expanse of broad steps at the entrance on the west
leading to the main floor and to me it was a palace."
As workmen are tearing away the three-story building on South Main
Street, which for the past few years housed the Hotel Brazos and also
the Queen Theater, older citizens are reminded that this building is
perhaps one of the last landmarks of the Bryan of 50 years ago. Many
long time residents think of this building as the Exchange Hotel, and
remember it as one of the most popular hotels in this part of the state
for many years. Governors, statesmen, distinguished men and women from
every part of the world were guests at the Exchange Hotel in the 1880s
and 1890s. Court records show that on May 6, 1884, Irvin G. Randle and
H.B. Stoddard, both outstanding citizens of Bryan in the early days,
sold the lot on which the building stands to the Stoddard Hotel Company,
J.S. Fowlkes, manager, for the sum of $1500. The deed provided that a
hotel should be built at once on the lot, which provision was complied
with, and the three-story brick building, now being razed for the
construction of the new $45,000 Queen Theater, was built. The architect
is named in the court records as N. Tobey. The next information on the
records about this old building is dated May 1, 1889, when the Stoddard
Hotel Company conveyed the property to Guy M. Bryan, Jr. and A.D.
McConnico for non-payment of notes totaling $3500, H.B. Stoddard
substitute trustee for the Stoddard Hotel Company. On May 25, 1889, Mr.
Bryan and Mr. McConnico sold the property to J.S. Mooring Sr. of
Navasota for $8000, and he and Mrs. Mooring came to Bryan to make their
home, and lived at the Exchange Hotel. Mr. and Mrs. Mooring Sr. were
the parents of J. Seth Mooring, and their names are revered by a host of
friends although they passed away many years ago. J.S. Mooring Jr. sold
the property to J.T. Maloney in April 1907, for $16,000, and on Dec. 12,
1912, Maloney sold to Sam B. Wilson, purchase price at this time being
$26,000. Sept. 13, 1938, Wilson Bradley, administrator of the estate of
the late Sam B. Wilson, sold the property to Mrs. Morris Schulman for
$15,000. Now, after more than half a century of service, the old
building is crumbling before the onward march of progress, which now is
so evident in Bryan and community. Bryan Daily Eagle, 17 June 1939,
pages 1, 6