Magnolia Hotel (Seguin, Texas) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Magnolia Hotel |
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| General information | |
| Status | Restoration |
| Type | Hotel |
| Location | Seguin, Texas, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 29°34′05″N 97°57′46″W / 29.5680°N 97.9627°W |
| Opening | 1847 |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 2 |
| Lifts/elevators | 0 |
The Magnolia Hotel is a really old and interesting building in Seguin, Texas. It started as a hotel way back in 1844, helping travelers find a place to stay. For many years, the building wasn't in good shape, and people worried it might be lost.
Luckily, in 2013, new owners bought the hotel and began fixing it up. By 2019, the Magnolia Hotel was fully restored! Today, you can rent rooms there for the night, or even take a tour. Many people believe it's one of the most haunted hotels in Texas, and it has even been featured on TV shows about ghosts.
Contents
History of the Magnolia Hotel
Early Days as a Frontier Stop
The Magnolia Hotel began as a small, two-room log cabin in Seguin, Texas. This was during the time of the Republic of Texas, before Texas became part of the United States. As early as 1844, this cabin offered shelter to travelers exploring the frontier.
Over time, the hotel grew. By 1846, a new building made of concrete was added next to the log cabin. Then, around 1853, a larger, two-story wooden building replaced the original log cabin.
Special Concrete Buildings
The concrete part of the Magnolia Hotel was built by John Park. He was a chemist and doctor who moved to Seguin in 1846 and experimented with concrete. The Magnolia Hotel was the very first building in Seguin to use his special "Park's concrete." It's also the oldest concrete building by him that is still standing today.
Thanks to John Park and others who copied his ideas, Seguin ended up with the most mid-19th century concrete buildings in the entire United States!
We know when the concrete part of the hotel was built because of a special event. Captain Jack Hays, a very famous Texas Ranger, got married there. He married Susan Calvert in the concrete section of the hotel on April 29, 1847.
The Stagecoach Era
From about 1848 to 1880, the Magnolia Hotel was a busy stop for stagecoaches. These horse-drawn coaches carried people and goods from coastal towns to San Antonio and other places in the west. The hotel was a lively place where travelers could eat, drink, and even attend dances in the ballroom.
A young slave would ring a bell to let everyone know when a stagecoach arrived. This bell was very special because it actually came from the Alamo! It was found in the San Antonio River in 1845 and brought to the hotel. The bell was used at the Magnolia until about 1900, when it was eventually given to the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, who managed the Alamo.
Decline and Restoration
After the stagecoach era, newer hotels made of brick opened in Seguin. These "fire-proof" hotels became more popular, and the Magnolia Hotel was no longer the main place to stay.
In the 1930s, a couple named the Lannoms bought the property. They lived downstairs and rented out small apartments upstairs for about 65 years. Over time, the building started to fall apart. In 2012, it was even listed as one of Texas's "Most Endangered Historic Places."
But there was good news! On March 1, 2013, Jim Ghedi and Erin O Wallace-Ghedi bought the hotel. They used their own money to restore it, bringing it back to its original beautiful state. While some parts are still being worked on, the bottom floor has been completely renovated. Today, it serves as a private museum and home for the Ghedis.
Haunted History
The Magnolia Hotel is well-known for its spooky stories and is considered one of the most haunted places in Texas. Many people believe that ghosts from its long past still roam its halls. Because of its reputation, the hotel has been featured on several ghost-hunting television shows, including "Ghost Adventures."
