Adolphus Hotel facts for kids
|
Hotel Adolphus
|
|
|
U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
|
Hotel Adolphus in 2009
|
|
 Hotel Adolphus
Location in Texas
Hotel Adolphus
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 1321 Commerce St., Dallas, Texas |
|---|---|
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1911 |
| Architect | Barnett, Haynes & Barnett; Tom P. Barnett |
| Architectural style | Beaux-Arts |
| Part of | Dallas Downtown Historic District (ID04000894) |
| NRHP reference No. | 83003133 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | July 14, 1983 |
| Designated CP | August 11, 2006 |
The Hotel Adolphus, often called "The Adolphus", is a fancy hotel in the Main Street District of Downtown Dallas, Texas. For several years, it was the tallest building in the state. Today, the hotel is part of Marriott Hotel's special Autograph Collection. It is also a recognized Dallas Landmark.
Contents
History of The Adolphus
The Adolphus Hotel first opened its doors on October 5, 1912. It was built by Adolphus Busch, who founded the Anheuser-Busch company. He wanted to create the first truly grand and luxurious hotel in Dallas.
Building Design and Size
The hotel was designed in a beautiful Beaux-Arts style. This style was chosen by Thomas P. Barnett from the firm Barnett, Haynes & Barnett in St. Louis. When it first opened, the hotel had 22 floors and stood 312 feet (95 meters) tall. This made it the tallest building in Texas for a while!
In August 1922, another building, the Magnolia Petroleum Building, became taller. The Adolphus Hotel was expanded several times. It grew in 1916, then again in 1926, and finally in 1950. At that time, the hotel had a total of 1,200 rooms.
Famous Guests and Music
From 1922 to 1946, Otto Schubert managed the hotel. Under his leadership, the hotel became famous across the country. In the 1930s, the hotel was managed by Ralph Hitz's National Hotel Management Company.
It became a popular spot for many famous big band musicians. Stars like Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, and Glenn Miller all performed there. The Adolphus was a hub for entertainment in Dallas. It helped launch the careers of many performers, including Bob Hope and Jack Benny.
A Place of Historical Change
The Adolphus Hotel is part of an important time in history. In 1936, it was listed in Victor H. Green's Negro Motorist Green Book. This book was a guide for Black travelers during a time when many places had unfair rules that separated people based on race. The Green Book helped Black travelers find safe places to stay and eat.
During the early 20th century, the hotel, like many places, had rules that separated people based on race. This was a difficult time when some groups caused fear and harm. The hotel eventually changed these rules, and segregation ended in the 1950s.
In 1936, the historian and activist J. Evetts Haley organized a political group at the Adolphus. This group, called the "Jeffersonian Democrats of Texas", disagreed with U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt's ideas.
Important Visitors and Renovations
The Adolphus has welcomed many important people over the years. This includes leaders in business and government, and famous entertainers. Several U.S. presidents have stayed there, from Warren G. Harding to George H. W. Bush. Even Elizabeth II and Prince Philip stayed at the hotel in 1991.
In the 1980s, the hotel underwent a huge renovation that cost US$80 million. The guestrooms were made larger and more modern. To make the rooms more spacious, the total number of guestrooms was reduced to 428.
Recognitions and Landmarks
The Adolphus Hotel has received many awards and high ratings. It has been named one of the top ten hotels in the United States by Condé Nast Traveler. It also gets great reviews from Zagat, Fodor's, and Frommer's.
The building is officially recognized as a Dallas Landmark. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's an important historical site.
Images for kids
-
Front Entrance
-
The Dallas skyline on April 1, 1913, less than a year after the Adolphus opened
-
Exterior of the French Room at the Adolphus
-
Adolphus roof
-
Looking up one side of the building
-
Interior lobby
-
Reception Desk
