Tietz Hotel on 7th and Franklin 1912
A photo of the Tietz Hotel on 7th and Franklin with an auto rebuilding shop and a cafe in the background. With the economic boom caused by the railroad, the hotel industry became an important aspect of life in Waco. The flow of travelers and business men through Waco made hotels a profitable enterprise in downtown Waco. The Tietz Hotel was owned by Mr. Ernest Tietz and had retail spaces on the first floor. After his retirement, the hotel was operated by two of his sons Fred and Will Tietz.
Interior of Natatorium Hotel pool
Interior photo of the Natatorium Hotel pool on 4th and Mary Street. The Natatorium Hotel was built by R.B. Parrott. The hotel featured steam-heated rooms, an indoor swimming pool, a roof garden and restaurant. It was believed that the water had medicinal qualities and positive health results for people that soaked in it. The Natatorium was the center of activity in downtown Waco for close to 40 years until the spring water dried up in the 1920s. The building was later destroyed by a fire in 1929.
McClelland Hotel on 4th and Austin Street
McClelland Hotel and old corner drug store. Built by Peter McClelland in 1871, to meet the growing demand of visitors caused by the railroad. The hotel was popular with businessmen and travelers through Waco. In 1897, Judge George Bruce Gerald challenged James W. Harris, the editor of the Waco Time-Herald, to a duel. At this intersection, in front of the McClelland Hotel, Harris and his brother were killed and Gerald was wounded. Despite this duel, Gerald was reelected in 1900. In 1934, the hotel was renamed the Roosevelt Hotel.
Exterior of Sanger Brothers department store
The Sanger Brothers Department store opened in 1873 in downtown Waco. The store carried a variety of goods before expanding into a larger department store. The Waco location was very successful, with quality merchandise and excellent customer service. Due to fiscal losses and the difficulty of the Great Depression the store closed in 1931.
Western Union Telegraph and Cable delivery boys 1915
The Western Union Telegraph office played an important role in life in Waco. The cable delivery boys were responsible for delivering telegrams throughout Waco. Communication through using the telegraph was essential to the booming business and growth that happened in Waco following the railroad.
Raleigh Hotel 1926
The Raleigh hotel in 1926 after the addition of the rooftop garden. The building was designed by architect, Roy E. Lane for Mr. J.W. Riggins. The hotel was sold to Albert Pick who renamed it the Hotel Raleigh. The hotel featured a ballroom, dining room, and the “Purple Cow Coffee Shop.”
Raleigh Hotel 1945
The Raleigh Hotel was a popular hotel in Waco for travelers. In the 1940s, the Raleigh Hotel featured 250 “modern” rooms, and air-conditioned lobby and dining room. The hotel closed in the early 1980s and was vacant until its restoration into a government facility.
State House Hotel on Franklin and 6th Street 1915
The State House on Franklin and 6th street in 1915 with W.W. Seley standing outside of the door. The land for the hotel was purchased by William Seley, the founder of the Waco State Bank and a prominent member of the Waco masonic order. It was designed by architect Roy E. Lane. The restaurant in the hotel was popular and well known for having eclectic menus serving ox tongue and calf brains.
Waco Hotel on 6th and Austin Street
The Hotel Waco on the southeast corner of 6th and Austin street. The Hotel Waco opened in 1914. It was advertised as a “European-style hotel with modern equipment”. In a prominent area of town, the hotel was popular and went through many changes and facelifts throughout the years. It’s name was changed to the Earle Hotel and later to the Hotel Milner.
Aerial view of Waco from 4th floor of Amicable building 1913
Aerial view of Waco from the 4th floor of the Amicable building with a view of city hall and the town square. The Amicable building was built in 1911 by Sanguinet and Staats of Fort Worth and by Roy E. Lane of Waco. It was built 22 stories high with a steel frame that helped it withstand the tornado of 1953. It housed the Amicable Life Insurance Company and has always been an important landmark of Waco. It was designated a historical landmark in 1982.
Gildersleeve’s photos offer a fascinating look into Waco’s cultural and commercial past. The following photos explore other facets of Waco and Texas history not covered in the part of the exhibit.
Additional images from the Lockwood Gildersleeve Collection:
