The Holland Hotel facts for kids
The Holland Hotel is a famous hotel located in Alpine, Texas. It first opened its doors in 1912. A cattleman named John R. Holland built the hotel. He believed that travelers in the busy mining industry needed a comfortable place to stay.
The hotel became very popular during the mercury-mining boom. It was a successful business and a key meeting spot for the community. After John R. Holland passed away, his son Clay took over. In 1928, Clay Holland hired famous architects Trost and Trost. They built a new, grander hotel building nearby.
This new building cost $250,000 and was designed in the beautiful Spanish Colonial Revival style. People thought the Holland Hotel looked like a magical place with its Spanish decorations. It was recognized as a Texas Historic Landmark in 1980. The hotel was also added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2025.
Contents
A Look Back at the Holland Hotel's Journey
Early Owners and Changes
In 1946, Clay Holland sold the hotel to George Hotels, Inc. Lawrence George from Mount Pleasant, Texas managed it. Mr. George ran the hotel for three years. Then, in 1949, he sold it to Frank Hofues.
Mr. Hofues passed away in 1957. His estate sold the hotel to James C. Henderson. Mr. Henderson faced money problems. So, in 1959, the hotel was given to I.C. Roark. Mr. Roark kept the hotel running for about 10 years.
Closing and Reopening
The Holland Hotel closed in 1969. All its furniture and equipment were sold off. The building stayed empty for several years. In 1972, Gene Hendryx bought the hotel. He agreed to remove all remaining furnishings.
An auction was held, and Mr. Hendryx took control. He renovated the building, turning it into an office space instead of a hotel.
Bringing the Hotel Back to Life
In 1985, the McFarland family bought the Holland Hotel. This included Robert, Myra Jo, and their daughter Carla. Carla McFarland became the general manager. They slowly began changing it back into a hotel as office leases ended.
They opened a fancy restaurant called McFarland's, which people still remember. Other good restaurants followed until the McFarlands sold the property in the early 2000s. Carla McFarland was the longest-standing owner, staying for over 20 years.
In the early 2000s, Carla McFarland hired Texas artist Style Read. Other local artists also helped. They worked to restore the hotel's lobby to its original Trost and Trost design. They found amazing colors, making the hotel feel very lively. However, new owners later covered up much of this work.
In September 2011, the Greenwich Hospitality Group bought the Holland Hotel. They restored the building to its former glory. It now has 24 guest rooms and a full-service restaurant called The Century Bar and Grill.
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