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Hotel Blessing is one of the oldest buildings remaining in Blessing and for many years has provided the community with a unique landmark because of its location adjoining the town square and on well-traveled FM 616, west of State Highway 35. The hotel was built in 1906 by Jonathan E. Pierce. Plans were drawn by an architect from Victoria, Texas. The design was inspired by Spanish mission churches and was translated into "Anglo" wood-siding construction. About 1906 the Blessing townsite was platted and subdivided; thereafter, Hotel Blessing was built and opened for the traveling public and landseekers. It was the residence of J. E. Pierce until his death in 1915 and also of his son, Abel B. Pierce until completion of his Blessing residence in 1910. Other members of the Pierce family resided in the hotel at various times. When Hotel Blessing opened December 1, 1907, G. H. Crandall from Wisconsin was the manager. He was followed by Dr. A. W. Flickwir, Captain E. L. Sieker, Mrs. L. B. Parkins, Abbie Minnich, Mrs. Kenneth Stocker, Mrs. Lance Williams, Maggie D. Walker, Ruth Williams, Hattie Wheeler, Lilly Upton Walters, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Henderson, Mr. and Mrs. E. R. Vacek, Sr., Minnie Fitzgerald, Benny Swinky, Mildred Newman, Evelyn Jalufka Luker, Helen Ward and Mr. and Mrs. George Shaffer. In 1965 the hotel was recorded as a Texas Historical Landmark with the following citation: HOTEL BLESSING Built 1906 for Landseekers, as well as a family home for prominent developers, Jonathan E. Peirce. Town and hotel named out of gratitude for era of railroads and Gulf Coast development. Abel B. Pierce, Jr., acquired ownership of the hotel in 1972. In 1977 the Blessing Hotel was given to the Blessing Historical Foundation, and restoration was begun in 1978. In 1979 Hotel Blessing was entered into the National Register of Historic Place, the first official listing for Matagorda County with this distinction. The Blessing Historical Foundation currently owns and operates the hotel. The foundation leases the operation of the Hotel Blessing Coffee Shop to Helen Feldhousen. The Hotel Blessing continues to be a popular meeting place for local residents and visitors. Historic Matagorda County, Volume I, pages 443-444
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