Remember the Alamo...Motor Hotel

Did you know that Houston, Texas is home to one of the first motel chains in the country? Located off the Old Spanish Trail or US 90A, the Alamo Plaza Hotel Court has a deep history in the Lone Star State.

Edgar Lee Torrance was an automobile salesman from the 1910’s to 1933. While building an apartment complex, Torrance, who understood the importance of the automobile, thought about catering to the ever growing number of motorists in the nation. So, he developed an idea. He envisioned creating a clean, well-maintained, comfortable and dependable motel unit. Using Texas history as the motif, Torrance used white stucco and placed it on the façade of the building in the shape of the Alamo.

 

The Hotel Court was born off Elm Street in Waco, Texas in 1929. Its Texas theme helped attract various motorists from across the land. Two years later, Torrance opened up another hotel in the East Texas town of Tyler. Over the next two decades, Torrance expanded to other locations including Dallas, Shreveport and Memphis. In 1948, a branch opened in Houston off the historic Old Spanish Trail. In addition to keeping the rooms clean, Mr. Torrance and owners of the Houston branch, Bill Farmer and Charles Mooney, felt only the “right” people should occupy these rooms. By that they meant no prostitutes or criminals. The goal was to attract support from the community and receive endorsements by local politicians and businessmen. As for the hotel itself, it consisted of 40 units, including 11 apartments and kitchenettes. Inside each room were Carrier air conditioners, Panel-Ray heating, tile baths, steel furniture and Simmons Beautyrest mattresses and box springs.

Today, you can find the hotel by taking Texas Highway 288 to the Old Spanish Trail exit. Head east on US 90A, travel straight several lights and it will be on the left hand side. While you may not step inside due to the fact it is a low-income apartment complex, you can still see the white stucco Alamo structures and the 1960’s era neon sign. In an age where roadside hotels like the Historic Park Motel in Denison, Iowa and El Vado Motel off Route 66 in Albuquerque, New Mexico are getting national recognition for its significance in highway history, it is surprising that a historic chain like the Alamo Plaza Hotel Court has not.

The reason, perhaps, is due to the fact that the owner has shown little interest in nominating his property as a historic landmark to the city of Houston or on the National Register of Historic Places. Moreover, he has contemplated getting rid of it and selling it to a developer. What impact would this have on the tenants and the city? Do you think the hotel is worth becoming a city landmark?

While the city can nominate the property as a historic landmark, it is up to the owner to get the ball rolling in the nomination process. If you believe that the property should be nominated, contact the City of Houston Preservation and acquire the owner's contact information. At which point, the owner will need to be convinced of the various benefits, both economic and social.