Stay at The Fredonia Hotel

STAY AT THE FREDONIA HOTEL
A Mid-Century Boutique Hotel in Nacogdoches, East Texas

A Love Your Parks Tour Story of Change by Lisa D. Smith and Nancy J. Reid

This episode of Big Blend Radio focuses on the Love Your Parks Tour visit to Nacogdoches, the oldest town in Texas. 

Every one of us is constantly affected by change. Change never stops, and whether it’s positive change or not, our first reaction is usually fear. The truly successful people of the world have a good understanding of change and how to make it work to their advantage.

This summer we spent some time in historic Nacogdoches, a destination on the El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail. Boasting a charming downtown district along with numerous historic sites, gardens and natural areas, this East Texas destination has the distinction of being the “Oldest Town in Texas,” as well as the “Garden Capital of Texas.” We enjoyed our stay at The Fredonia Hotel, a beautiful mid-century boutique hotel. The hotel is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is named after the Fredonia Rebellion of 1826  when Haden Edwards and a group of settlers declared Nacogdoches independent from Mexico. The rebellion was unsuccessful but the hotel’s story is not. It’s one that positively changed the tourism landscape for Nacogdoches.

It was back in the late 1940s when the local boosters and Chamber of Commerce realized that because of the lack of accommodation in the region, the town was losing valuable tourism dollars. In the 1950s Jack McKinney and a group of businessmen created the New Hotel Campaign for Nacogdoches, later renamed Nacogdoches Community Hotel Corporation. Creating a ‘people’s hotel,’ this unique corporation sold over $500,000 of stock to the local citizens to help with the building costs.

Spanning an entire city block near the commercial district and right across from the bus depot, The Fredonia Hotel opened its doors on April 1, 1955. Modern in design, the hotel was fully air-conditioned, featured 100 guest rooms, offered conference facilities for 600, had a heated swimming pool surrounded by cabana suites, a coffee shop, and guest parking for up to 100. For over a decade, the hotel was recognized as the most successful community hotel in the country.

Through the years the hotel underwent some name changes and structural changes such as the addition of the Terrace area, the convention center, and the Nine Flags Bar. It sadly closed its doors in 2013, however in 2016, local business owners Barbara and Richard Dewitt purchased the hotel and got to work on a 10 million dollar renovation. The Fredonia Hotel reopened in June 2017.

While the hotel maintains its historic integrity it sparkles with a fresh, contemporary and sophisticated design. The hospitality is second to none and the atmosphere is fun and lively. We stayed poolside in a terrace room and appreciated the modern amenities along with a comfortable night’s sleep. Let’s not forget the fabulous dining with three on-site restaurants to choose from. Whether you’re planning a wedding or convention, looking for a romantic retreat or a family gathering spot, The Fredonia Hotel is a fantastic lodging choice that’s just steps from the downtown district’s shops and restaurants, galleries and historic sites.

For more about The Fredonia Hotel visit https://www.thefredonia.com

For more about Nacogdoches, Texas visit https://www.visitnacogdoches.org/

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