Bryan in Brazos County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
La Salle Hotel
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 26, 2014
1. La Salle Hotel Marker
Occupying a prominent corner in the southern end of Bryan's central business district, the La Salle hotel is an architectural landmark representative of the city's early 20th-century commercial development. At that time, Bryan was a major railroad stop between Houston and Dallas, and its depot on the Houston and Texas Central rail line (now demolished) once stood across Main Street from the La Salle.
Completed in 1928 for leading businessman Robert Wistar Howell (1877-1960), the La Salle Hotel was the tallest building in downtown Bryan at the time of its construction. Austin architect George Louis walling designed the seven-story building with Classical details and a distinctly vertical emphasis. The first floor included the dining room and coffee shop, while the convention hall and ballroom were located on the second floor. Roughly 100 guest rooms occupied the top five floors.
The La Salle accommodated visitors to Bryan and nearby College Station, including families, politicians, society figures, business travelers and military personnel. The building served as a nursing home from 1959 until 1975 and was closed for the last two decades of the 20th century. Following a rehabilitation project, the La Salle returned to its historic use as a downtown hotel in 2000.
this page online
Erected 2001 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 12883.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings.
Location. 30° 40.374′ N, 96° 22.421′ W. Marker is in Bryan, Texas, in Brazos County. Marker is at the intersection of South Main Street and West 27th Street, on the right when traveling south on South Main Street. Mounted at on the southeast corner of the subject building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 120 South Main Street, Bryan TX 77803, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Carnegie Public Library (within shouting distance of this marker); Hood's Texas Brigade (within shouting distance of this marker); Queen Theater (within shouting distance of this marker); The CW&BV and I&GN Railroads in Bryan (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Saint Andrew's Episcopal Church (about 500 feet away); Brazos County (approx. 0.2 miles away); Harvey Mitchell (approx. 0.2 miles away); Courthouse Cedar (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bryan.
Regarding La Salle Hotel. National Register of Historic Places (2000)
Also see . . .
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 26, 2014
2. La Salle Hotel (marker visible on building corner below sign)
1. La Salle Hotel.
At its opening in 1928, the seven-story hotel was the tallest building in Bryan. The LaSalle had one hundred guest rooms, a ballroom and meeting space (both have since been converted to guest rooms). Several businesses, including a tailor, a barber and a cafe were located on the first floor. The Howell family owned the hotel for over thirty years. J. C. Jacques bought the property in 1959 and converted it into a nursing home. The home was open until 1975 and then became a resident hotel with small apartments until it closed in 1980. The LaSalle sat empty for seventeen years when a private developer with city backing began renovations. The hotel reopened in 2000, which started the revitalization of downtown Bryan. (Submitted on December 7, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Bryan's faith in LaSalle Hotel has paid off.
Opened in 1929, the LaSalle was a short walk from the Bryan railroad station, convenient to visitors to the area at a time when America depended on and appreciated passenger rail service. The hotel's coffee shop was a gathering place for the powerful and the ordinary. Countless gatherings were held within its walls. From its opening until 1934, the LaSalle was temporary home to the last survivors of John Bell Hood's storied Civil War Texas Brigade who held their final reunions in Downtown Bryan. (Submitted on December 7, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 26, 2014
3. La Salle Hotel
Credits. This page was last revised on July 4, 2018. It was originally submitted on December 6, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 422 times since then and 23 times this year. Last updated on July 3, 2018, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. Photos: 1. submitted on December 6, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2, 3. submitted on December 7, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
