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In the mid-1920s, the city of San Benito, which had been founded just 18 years earlier, was experiencing rapid growth. The influx of visitors overwhelmed the current hospitality infrastructure, so a group of prominent San Benito businessmen proposed a new, modern hotel to satisfy the needs of the community. The group brought in Hockenberry Systems, Inc. to assist the city in a public fundraising effort to build the hotel. From December 7-14, 1925, local volunteers traveled door-to-door selling subscriptions for stock. At the end of the fundraising effort, $152,000 in subscriptions had been sold. With the capital raised, the group of businessmen reorganized as trustees of San Benito Community Hotel Inc. The trustees purchased land at the corner of Stenger and Reagan streets. Architect Harvey P. Smith of San Antonio designed a three-story L-shaped hotel in the Spanish Revival style with tile roof and steel casement windows. H.P. Hansen and Sons of Brownsville provided general contracting services. The cost of building totaled $250,000.
The Stonewall Jackson Hotel, named for the Civil War general, opened October 8, 1927 with a large gala. Staff was led by Fred Scheer, the general manager, and Jim Bowie, general sales manager. The hotel featured 83 rooms with modern comforts such as an elevator, electric-equipped kitchen, indirect lighting, showers and baths. Texas artist Royston Nave was commissioned to paint a portrait of Stonewall Jackson which hung in the lobby for many years. Communal areas included a ladies' parlor, news shops, smoking room, and "stag" section. The hotel became a gathering place for the community, hosting weddings, high school dances, holiday events, Junior Service League parties, socials, banquets, and celebrations honoring public figures. The hotel operated for several decades until closing. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 2022 |
