Nacogdoches in Nacogdoches County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

The Fredonia Hotel

Photographed By James Hulse, November 19, 2022

1. The Fredonia Hotel Marker

Inscription.

The Fredonia Hotel. . Hotel Fredonia opened its doors to Nacogdoches for the first time on April 1, 1955. The brain child of Jack McKinney, the Fredonia, was a hotel built and paid for by the citizens of Nacogdoches for the "convenience of guests and travelers to the city." Citizens of Nacogdoches rallied to raise over $500,000 to contribute to the costs of the project, truly making Hotel Fredonia the "people's hotel"., The name Fredonia is derived from the efforts of Haden Edwards, Nacogdoches' first empresario under the Mexican plan for the colonization of Texas, which established an independent Fredonia Republic in 1826-1827. The movement collapsed with the arrival of Mexican troops, but memories of the effort survived through the naming of streets, businesses, and eventually the Hotel Fredonia. When asked about the name Fredonia, it has been said that "the name is distinctive, euphonious - easily remembered. It has universal appeal; yet indigenous and reflects the spirit of that will make the hotel possible.", The Fredonia Hotel has undergone several different managements and name changes in its lifetime that contribute to the ever growing history of the building. Beginning as the Hotel Fredonia in 1955, the name of the property was changed to the Sheraton Crest Inn in 1970, then the Fredonia Inn, and back to Hotel Fredonia in the 1980's., The Fredonia closed its doors in 2013, but it was not long before the town realized that the hotel was a necessity in the community. Barbara and Richard DeWitt purchased the property in September of 2015 and began the immense task of restoring the building to its original beauty, all while respecting the historical integrity of the property and adding 21st Century amenities that travelers have come to expect. Upon its reopening in the summer of 2017, The Fredonia Hotel has become a beacon of hospitality to all of East Texas and offers five-star service to all locals and travelers who pass through the lobby doors., The citizens of Nacogdoches wish to thank the Dewitt Family for their generous gift to the community in restoring the heart of Nacogdoches and assuring The Fredonia Hotel will be a part of the Nacogdoches community for generations to come.

Hotel Fredonia opened its doors to Nacogdoches for the first time on April 1, 1955. The brain child of Jack McKinney, the Fredonia, was a hotel built and paid for by the citizens of Nacogdoches for the "convenience of guests and travelers to the city." Citizens of Nacogdoches rallied to raise over $500,000 to contribute to the costs of the project, truly making Hotel Fredonia the "people's hotel".

The name Fredonia is derived from the efforts of Haden Edwards, Nacogdoches' first empresario under the Mexican plan for the colonization of Texas, which established an independent Fredonia Republic in 1826-1827. The movement collapsed with the arrival of Mexican troops, but memories of the effort survived through the naming of streets, businesses, and eventually the Hotel Fredonia. When asked about the name Fredonia, it has been said that "the name is distinctive, euphonious - easily remembered. It has universal appeal; yet indigenous and reflects the spirit of that will make the hotel possible."

The Fredonia Hotel has undergone several different managements and name changes in its lifetime that contribute to the ever growing history of the building. Beginning as the Hotel Fredonia in 1955, the name of the property was changed to the Sheraton Crest Inn in 1970, then the Fredonia Inn, and back to Hotel Fredonia in the 1980's.

The

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Fredonia closed its doors in 2013, but it was not long before the town realized that the hotel was a necessity in the community. Barbara and Richard DeWitt purchased the property in September of 2015 and began the immense task of restoring the building to its original beauty, all while respecting the historical integrity of the property and adding 21st Century amenities that travelers have come to expect. Upon its reopening in the summer of 2017, The Fredonia Hotel has become a beacon of hospitality to all of East Texas and offers five-star service to all locals and travelers who pass through the lobby doors.

The citizens of Nacogdoches wish to thank the Dewitt Family for their generous gift to the community in restoring the heart of Nacogdoches and assuring The Fredonia Hotel will be a part of the Nacogdoches community for generations to come.

Erected by The Heritage Club of Nacogdoches, Texas and Historical Commission's Texas Heritage Trails Regional Program/Plaza Principal, and City of Nacogdoches Main Street.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is April 1, 1955.

Location. 31° 36.267′ N, 94° 39.195′ W. Marker is in Nacogdoches, Texas, in Nacogdoches County. Marker is at the intersection of East Hospital Street

The entrance to the Fredonia Hotel with the Marker on the right side image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, November 19, 2022

2. The entrance to the Fredonia Hotel with the Marker on the right side

and North Fredonia Street, on the left when traveling east on East Hospital Street. The marker is located on the southeast side of the building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 East Hospital Street, Nacogdoches TX 75961, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Storytellers (within shouting distance of this marker); Space Shuttle Columbia Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Diedrich Anton Wilhelm Rulfs (within shouting distance of this marker); The Roland Jones House (within shouting distance of this marker); Milam Lodge #2, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Texas (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Daily Sentinel (about 300 feet away); First United Methodist Church of Nacogdoches (about 400 feet away); Original Location of Sacred Heart Catholic Church (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nacogdoches.

Also see . . . Fredonian Rebellion. Texas State Historical Association

The Fredonian Rebellion was a dispute between the Mexican government and the Edwards brothers, Haden and Benjamin. Haden Edwards received his empresarial grant on April 14, 1825. It entitled him to settle as many as 800 families in a broad area around Nacogdoches in eastern Texas. Like all empresarios he was to uphold land grants certified by the Spanish and Mexican
Photographed By James Hulse, November 19, 2022

3. The Fredonia Hotel
governments, provide an organization for the protection of all colonists in the area, and receive a land commissioner appointed by the Mexican government. He arrived in Nacogdoches on September 25, 1825, and posted notices on street corners to all previous landowners that they would have to present evidence of their claims or forfeit to new settlers. This naturally offended the older settlers.

(Submitted on November 21, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 21, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 21, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 517 times since then and 114 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 21, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.