The
first hotel erected in Denison was The Nelson House. However, at
the same time the Alamo Hotel was under construction from October 1,
1872 and completed the 22nd of February 1873; most of the lumber for
the structure was brought by wagon from Caddo Station. A Grand
Ball was given by Mr. Hyatt & Fuller, proprietors, to celebrate the
opening of the hotel. (Early Times in Denison. Denison Daily Cresset, Saturday, January 15, 1876, pg.4)
The Denison Daily News March 19, 1873 THE BALL IN THE EVENING Eyes that flash and Speak of Love Will Meet and Speak Again On with the Dance - Let Joy be Unconfined - It will be a Billian Affair On Monday morning a party of excursionists left Sedalia to attend the opening of the Alamo and to celebrate the union of the M.K.& T. Ry. and the Texas Central. The party was provided with a special pullman car, and Mr. Stevens of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad run his car "100" down. The party spent the day in visiting and inspecting our young city, which they universally pronounced the most wonderful growth of the Nineteenth Century. This was the grandest ball that ever took place upon the banks of Red River, at least in that portion known and designated as "above the Raft." Between seventy and eighty couples, made up of people from every part of the Union, gathered in the capacious dining room of the Alamo, when at 9 o'clock the festivities of the evening commenced. To attemp a description of the dress and personal appearance of those present would be to undertake a task for which we have neither time, space nor information. Suffice it to say that the ladies were beautiful, and accomplished; the gentlemen witty, agreeable and devoted. The music was furnished by Prof. John Kelly, the California violinist, and those who enjoyed the "poetry of motion" had then an opportunity such as is seldom offered. At twelve o'clock the company were invited to the pavilion fitted up on Alamo Plaza where was served the most bountiful repast ever yet offered in Denison, and one which would do credit to any city in the land. The table which was spread for one hundred and fifty guests was loaded with a variety and excellence that would be hard to surpass. The tables were lavishly ornamented with pyramids of fruits and flowers, the effect of which, mellowed and softened by the light of a hundred Chinese langerns, produced a most lovely scene. Champagne was produced and for half an hour toasts and speeches were the order of the evening. The "Alamo", "Our Stranger Guests", "The M.K. & T. Railway", "The Ladies of Denison" were all duly toasted and all appropriately and wittily responded to. Supper over the party again adjourned to the dancing hall where the festivities were kept up to a late hour. At 7 o'clock this morning a special train left the city bearing the guests to their homes. Both citizens and strangers expressed themselves as highly pleased, and the occasion ranks as one of the most magnificent entertainments ever offered in northern Texas. Editor's Note: This event took place in and about the Alamo, the M.K. & T.'s railroad hotel built by the company at a cost of $40,000 - one of the finest hotels in Texas. It was a long frame building located in the northeast corner of the Denison Depot grounds. It later burned. "Mr. E.E. Fuller is now sold proprietor of the Alamo House, having purchased Mr. Wm. Hull's interest." (The Denison Daily News, January 13, 1874) Two and a half weeks later, "The Alamo hotel and six lots on which it stands, were sold at public auction by Mr. Campbell, auctioneer. It was sold for $11,900." (The Denison Daily News, Janaruy 30, 1874) Alamo Hotel History Copyright © 2024, TXGenWeb. If you find any of Grayson County TXGenWeb links inoperable,please send me a message. |