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

The Giesel House

Photographed by Ronald Claiborne, July 13, 2024

1. The Giesel House Marker

Inscription. Situated near the Houston & Texas Central Railroad Depot, this three-story stone building was erected in 1860 by R. H. Giesel (1833-1872) and his German-born wife Fannie (1828-1881) to house a restaurant and hotel. A two-story frame porch originally extended across the front of the structure. Giesel, a Confederate veteran, served as temporary mayor in 1867, when a yellow fever epidemic struck Navasota. Fannie Giesel renamed her restaurant “The Good Morning John” in 1871. She managed the business until her death in 1881. Later owners operated the hotel as “The Exchange” and “The Hoyle”.

Erected 1977 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 8581.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1860.

Location. 30° 23.23′ N, 96° 5.368′ W. Marker is in Navasota, Texas, in Grimes County. It is on Railroad Street north of West McAlpine Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 113 Railroad Street, Navasota TX 77868, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Mickelborough Building (within shouting distance of this marker); The Lewis J. Wilson Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Old First National Bank of Navasota (about 300 feet away); Washington Avenue (about 300 feet away); The Leake Building (about 500 feet away); Frank Augustus Hamer (about 600 feet away); Mance Lipscomb (approx. 0.2 miles away); La Bahia Trail (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Navasota.

The Giesel House Hotel image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ronald Claiborne, July 13, 2024

2. The Giesel House Hotel

Credits. This page was last revised on July 16, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 16, 2024, by Ronald Claiborne of College Station, Texas. This page has been viewed 322 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 16, 2024, by Ronald Claiborne of College Station, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.