Palestine, Texas In 1915
Featured A $100,000 Hotel

 
(EDITOR'S NOTE: The biggest event in Palestine, Texas in the year 1915 was the opening of the Redlands Hotel at that time one of the finest hotels in Texas. A report printed in the Sunday Galveston News March 21, 1915, describes the elegance of the structure which now stands vacant at the corner of Oak and Queen streets)

Palestine, Texas, March 20, 1915 -- The Redlands, Palestine's new $100,000 hotel, now is open and ready for guests. The formal opening was held here Thursday night when prominent Texans and local citizens inspected the hostelry and then were guests of the management at a sumptuous banquet served in the beautiful dining room.

Among the prominent out of town persons who graced the dining tables, which was elaborately decorated, were: Receiver Cecil A. Lyon of the International and Great Northern Railroad, assistant to the International and Great Northern Receiver Thornwell Fay, Mayor J.W. Riggins of Waco, Mayor G.A. Bodenheim of Longview, former Governor Tom Campbell, Mayor A.L. Bowers of Palestine and others.

After the invocation by Rev. J.C. Oehler of the local Presbyterian Church, and with W.C. Campbell acting as toastmaster, the following toasts were given:

"Our City," by Mayor A.L. Bowers.

"The Redlands," Honorable N.B. Morris.

"He that tooteth Not His Own Horn, the Same Shall Not Be Tooted," Mayor J.W. Riggins of Waco.

"Before the War Ends," former Governor T.M. Campbell.

"The People and the Railroads," Thornwell Fay, assistant to the receiver of the International and Great Northern Railroad.

"City Building," Mayor G.A. Bodenheim of Longview.

"Just Us," the Honorable T.B. Greenwood.

"After the War Ends," Colonel Cecil A. Lyon, receiver of the International and Great Northern Railroad.

"Why I Came to Palestine," E.W. Shubert, proprietor of the Redlands.

Owned by the Palestine Hotel Company, composed of citizens and financial institutions, the Redlands is a building of five stories and basement and was built under the direction of the local Young Men's Business Association. There is but very little woodwork about the building, and it is therefore really fireproof. The lobby is commodious and has large ceiling skylight and also has large and inviting doors at the main and side entrances. The mezzanine floor is a beauty. Adjoining the lobby is the dining room and the ladies' rest room.

All of the eighty-six rooms, which are outside rooms, have telephones, lavatory, hot and cold water, and many of the rooms have baths. The structure is absolutely modern in every detail.

E.W. Shubert, who will have charge of the Redlands, has invested $20,000 in furnishing the new hostelry, and says nothing will be spared to make it one of the best and most comfortable in the state. He is a well known hotel man, and has had charge of several large hotels in various states of the union. He had charge of the Hotel Riggins at Waco before coming to Palestine. The officials of the Palestine Hotel Company are: Hyman

Palestine, Texas - Redlands Hotel

Redlands Hotel

The Redlands Hotel, which opened in 1915 in Palestine, was the pride and joy of Palestinians. The elegant structure cost $100,000 when built and is now vacant on the comer of Oak and Queen streets. (Photo courtesy Mrs. Eugenia Dorman)

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