Grayson County TXGenWeb

McDougall Hotel
Denison, Texas

Postcard, ca. 1912
Union Station (right) attached to the McDougall Hotel (left)

The Sunday Gazetteer
Sunday, May 27, 1883

McDougall Hotel
Every town of importance has periods in its history, which are as it were milestones in its progress to which its citizens instinctively refer in noting the march of events. In this respect the prosperous city of Denison is no exception Those who were here in 1872, and contributed by their confidence and energy to the rapid growth of the little village in the woods, have note forgotten with how much pride and enthusiasm they celebrated the formal opening of the Alamo, our first hotel. It was the event of the year, and contributed no little to the rapid growth of Denison which followed.
Last Monday, old citizens cut another notch on the stick of remembrance, when McDougall's magnificent brick hotel near the depot was thrown open to the public, and it is fitting that the event receive more than a passing notice by the Gazetteer.
Mr. J.B. McDougall is the gentleman who has been the prime mover in this enterprise form its incipiency, and to whose sagacity, energy and public spirit our citizens are principally indebted for the magnificent structure that greets the eye of every traveler, and is pointed to with such pride by every man, woman and child in our thriving young city. Mr. McDougall was one of the first to cast his lot in Denison. When Main street, now flanked on either side with majestic brick business blocks, was but a path between forest trees, J.B. McDougall invested every dollar he possessed in a business venture in the new town. He thought he saw in the near future a fortune in store for the man of pluck, and he never looked back. How well we remember his box house, on Main street, at that time one of the best business houses in town, a sort of headquarters, after the toils of the day. His business prospered and in 1874, he erected on the same site the large 2-story brick building now known as the Bank Exchange, and which, with that taste which is characteristic of a man, was elaborately finished throughout and tastefully furnished. But what the public pronounced the crowning achievement of all was the magnificent opera house which now towers above all other costly structures, the school building alone excepted. The Opera House, which was completed only last year, cost Mr. McDougall, including the furnishing, $28,000. It has a seating capacity of 1,000 and is better supplied with scenery than any other opera house of the same size in the state. All this was done individually, the city not being asked to contribute a cent.
We have thus briefly alluded to what Mr. McDougall has done in Denison, not for the vain object of puffing a gentleman to whom such things are distasteful, but to remind our citizens how much they owe to one individual, and as a prelude to a brief description of his last,, and, in a certain sense, his most important contribution to the business advancement of the city.
The McDougall Hotel is by far the best hotel Denison ever had or is likely to have for many years. It is located between the 2 railroad tracks, just north of the Union Depot, and was erected principally to accommodate railroad travel. The plan of the building was drawn by our accomplished architect, Mr. J.S. Schott. The contractor is Mr. S.S. Legate, one of the oldest and best mechanics in the city. The plastering was done by Mr. S.M. Larkin, who has no superior in this line. Barney Williams did the masonry, which is a standing monument to his judgment and skill, while the brick was placed in the walls by those skillful manipulators of the trowel and plum, Mr. George Overs and Mr. Jim Cathey. The main building is 130' long and 36' wide, height 3 stores, , with Mansard roof, surmounted by 2 towers overlooking the whole city. The plan of the building was carefully drawn with an eye to convenience and thorough ventilation. The office is large enough for comfort and pleasantly located with a west entrance and well lighted. It is supplied with a large McNeal & Urban safe for the accommodation of guests. Every room in the house is connected with the office by an electric enuciator of the most improved pattern. Here Mr. W.J. Scott presides with affability and becoming dignity. On the south end of the building is the lunch room, 15' by 37'. A massive black walnut case with large glass doors extends the whole length of the room, in which is stored canned and bottled goods and choice viands for the lunch fiend. Midway is the large coffee urn, where in is distilled the best coffee ever served at a railroad station. The highly ornamental case is a sample of the handiwork of Mr. Otto Schumaker, of this city. This department is presided over by that prince of accommodating gentleman, Mr. F.H. Jack. The kitchen is located on the north, and is fitted up with every convenience and appliance that modern skill could suggest. Mr. McDougall visited that model hotel, the Southern, in St. Louis, before furnishing this most important adjunct to a first-class hotel, and profited by all the information he could collect by personal observation. It is provided with one of the celebrated Vane wrought-iron ranges, No. 3, with patent steaming table, broiler, carving table, etc. There is a place for everything, and the culinary business moves like clockwork. The head cook is Mr. H. Shoenman; baker, Mr. H. Dalsche. Both these gentlemen were engaged because of the excellent reputation they have earned in their respective departments.
The dining room takes in the full width of the building on the lower floor, and is 36' by 53', with large windows on either side, thus securing the best of ventilation. Mr. Mike Morgan, just from St. Louis, and a gentleman of long experience as a caterer, is the steward, and he has a full corps of colored waiters under his charge, who perform their duties with expedition and uniform politeness.
On the lower floor is an airy and well furnished room, especially set apart for traveling men.
The parlor is situated on the second floor. It is not large but cozy. The floor is covered with a beautiful velvet Brussels carpet, with rich bordering, and the windows shaded with heavy lace curtains. An elegant upright piano has been purchased and will be place in position in a few days. A large mirror, reaching from floor to ceiling, ornaments the west wall, and costly pictures will soon add their charms to the pleasing surroundings.
There are, all told, 50 rooms, in the hotel, averaging in size 10' by 13' and these are all supplied with tasty black walnut furniture of modern design. The beds are supplied with wove spring mattresses, and the floors carpeted. They are all outside rooms, the large windows on one side and the hall, which runs the full length of the building, on the other, securing the most perfect ventilation. Mrs. Anna Keathly, a very pleasant lady, presides as stewardess, and keeps everything neat and tidy that comes within her jurisdiction.
Pure soft water is carried to all parts of the building by steam power, and the utmost care has been taken by the proprietor to secure perfect sewerage. In this latter respect we doubt if there is another hotel in the state so well arranged.
Such, in brief, is the McDougall Hotel, which has been erected at a cost of $30,000. There was no formal opening, Mr. McDougall being opposed to ostentatious display, and the dinner spread Monday may be considered as a sample of the every day fare. We are happy to state that the patronage the first week was liberal, and we can only hope that the investment will prove as successful financially as it is flattering to the pride of our people.