Hotel Texas

Conceived by a group of prominent citizens, the Hotel Texas remains an integral element of Fort Worth's skyline, representative of the skyscraper era that flourished in Fort Worth during the early years of the oil boom. Rising fourteen stories above the city, the hotel is an aesthetically pleasing blend of architectural styles, skillfully combined in an adapted Chicago School format. Until recently it served both tourists and citizens alike in professional and social capacities. From the early days of Fort Worth Main Street has played a prominent role in both the commercial and social activities of the city, reflecting the personality of the city in its architecture. Following the 1853 deactivation of the Army post for which Fort Worth was named, area residents laid out what was to become the city's major north/south axes, terminated on the north by the Trinity River. At this time the northern end of Main Street was kept vacant for use during market days. From approximately 1850 to 1870 Main Street was the only street lined with structures, and during the early part of this period, the market area was re-designated as the site for the Tarrant County Courthouse. During the latter half of the 19th century Fort Worth emerged as a cattle empire. The establishment of the Fort Worth Stockyards provided the facilities for large-scale cattle operations. Enhancing this development was the advent of the railroads which reached Fort Worth in 1876. By the 1880's the city was linked to most parts of the country by five major railroads, and in the 1890's, Fort Worth emerged as the largest rail center in Texas. During this decade large meat packing houses were constructed, adding a boost to the thriving Fort Worth economy. During this period of prosperity downtown businesses flourished as well. In 1876 the Texas and Pacific railroad, the first to reach the city, located its terminal on the south end of Main Street. Defined on the north by the courthouse and the south by the terminal, a nine block section acquired new prominence. In 1876 the street was paved with gravel and lumber. Subsequent improvements to this area included macadamization of the street surface, installation of a municipal water and sewage system, installation of electric lights, and conversion from mule-driven to electric street cars. The expanding commercial base created a need for overnight accommodations and impressive hotels such as the Worth, Metropolitan, and El Paso were erected along Main Street. At the turn of the century the street was paved with red Thurber vitrified brick. The building activities continued into the 20th century and were encouraged in 1913 when the city lifted height restrictions of buildings, bringing the "skyscraper age" to Fort Worth. Commercial activity was spurred by the continuing growth of the cattle industry as well as the discovery of oil west of Fort Worth. Fort Worth soon became a center for oil-related activities and the growth in the economy and population reflected this. The need for accommodations to support this increased activity was constant. In 1919 a group of prominent city leaders met to discuss the Hotel Company was organized to build what its leaders hoped would become the finest hotel in the south." The group selected the site of the North Hotel as the site of the proposed Hotel Texas. The Worth was demolished in 1919 and in 1920 construction began on the new hotel which was designed by Fort Worth architects Sanguinet and Staats, and Mavran, Russell, and Clowell, St. Louis, Missouri, Associate Architects. The style they employed drew upon Georgian and Renaissance detailing on a Chicago School format, an unusual but successful combination of styles enjoying intense popularity at this time. Intended to be "purely a Texas home," the hotel was managed by the San Antonio-based Baker Hotel Company, under the direction of T.B. Baker. On September 30, 1921, the hotel celebrated its grand opening, and during the first year of operation, experienced the kind of initial success the Citizens Hotel Company had anticipated. During the first year, the hotel hosted 195,166 guests and over 100 conventions. For the remainder of the decade the hotel operated a successful and efficient property. However, the Great Depression had an adverse effect on both the appearance and financial stability of the hotel. In 1935 the Citizens Hotel Company filed suit to obtain management of the hotel, claiming that T.B. Baker had mismanaged hotel funds and that the structure and its furnishings were in disrepair. In 1936, Baker was declared bankrupt and the National Hotel Company was retained to manage the property. Under new management, the hotel underwent a renovation program which included the addition of air conditioning and the replacement of interior furnishings. In 1946 parties outside of Texas expressed an interest in purchasing the hotel. Determined to keep the hotel under the control of local businessmen, Amon Carter and Sid Richardson, two of Fort Worth's civic leaders, purchased 80% of the Citizens Hotel Company. The hotel functioned throughout the 1950's and 1960's with additional renovations occurring at various intervals. It's prominence was boosted by the construction of the Tarrant County Convention Center, one block south on Main Street. On November 21, 1963, the late President John F. Kennedy spent his last night in the hotel before the ill-fated trip to Dallas the following day. In 1967 the Hotel owners gave the Hotel to the Fort Worth Chamber Development Corporation a group of 35 civic leaders who soon announced an expansion and renovation program. ? 230 room annex was added to the hotel one block east of the original structure, connected with an enclosed pedestrian bridge over Eighth Street. The Sheraton Corporation was named manager of the property and for the first time in its history, the name of the hotel was changed to the Sheraton-Fort Worth. Under management of the Sheraton Corporation, the hotel experienced architectural neglect and decay. However, the property is now owned by a dedicated group of local leaders who will restore the structure to a functional and aesthetically pleasing condition while retaining the historical character and integrity of its past. As the Fort Worth Hyatt Regency, the Hotel Texas will once again be a vital element of Main Street.