They also prided themselves on providing their guests with the finest delicacies of the time. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Theodore Roosevelt first visited the Menger in 1892 on a javelina hunt; he returned to recruit his Rough Riders (the First United States Volunteer Cavalry) at the hotel in 1898; in 1905 he was back for a banquet. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Bearing the title of the oldest continuously-operating hotel west of the Mississippi. Explore these historic hotels that reside along the shorelines of Americas finest beaches, lakes, and rivers. Local architect John M. Fries is credited with designing the two-story cut-stone building, which features classical detail; John Hermann Kampmann oversaw construction of the project. Menger Hotel Menger_Hotel Western Landmark: The Menger Hotel - Western Art and He operates his hotel consulting practice serving as an expert witness in hotel-related cases and providing asset management an and hotel franchising consultation. The main room on the second floor is unsurpassed for beauty. Listen to "KBEY 103.9 FM Texas Best Country Music" on Spreaker. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Menger commissioned a three-story, 40-room addition in 1859 between the hotel and the brewery. Before joining IT&T, he was the Resident Manager of the Americana Hotel (1842 Rooms), General Manager of the Drake Hotel (680 Rooms) and General Manager of the Summit Hotel (762 Rooms), all in New York City. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. She tells me she has a feeling the spirit trying to reach her is Sallie White. Priority early check-in & late check-out, based on availability. Docia Schultz Williams,The History and Mystery of the Menger Hotel(Plano: Republic of Texas Press, 2000). The package offers room savings, Two (2) Tickets to The Alamo and Ralston Family Collection Center, an Alamo welcome gift from Davy Crockett's Cabin PLUS book direct benefits. Up to 30% savings to honor the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Preservation Month. In the video, one moment the sign was there, the next it was gone, as if dissolving entirely. Terms & Conditions| Terms & Conditions| Home; Texas Hill Country. William Menger stayed as a guest at the boarding house upon his arrival in San Antonio, and the couple married in 1851. The fee for a parking spot is $35 per night with in and out privileges. Just dont be surprised if the person you ask suddenly disappears. Taylor. The Menger and the area around it has seen both life and death. Now, the hotel houses some of his most beloved garments, and according to some, Roosevelt himself is said to still pass through for a drink. The conditions of Sallie White's life were a lot different than Captain Richard King, and were made to be that way by people like him. Once, a professed psychic approached her to warn that there is a spirit at the Menger who doesn't appreciate her telling her story. WebThe mirror on the 2nd floor old section is famous for ghosts appearing in the mirror reflections of the photo's v. April Day October 4, 2012. is renowned for its beautiful architecture, a restored 19th-century wing with Victorian-style guestrooms, rare antique furniture, and paintings, all which lend an air of historic luxury. It picks up ghost stories.. The Colonial Dining Room at the Menger Hotel was known far and wide for its cuisine. He also covers the Spurs for on-air and digital platforms. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Terms & Conditions| San Antonio Light, September 14, 1885. The historic Menger Hotel is located directly on Alamo Plaza, adjacent to Rivercenter Mall and San Antonios celebrated River Walk. This renovation included the construction of a new lobby and pool facilities. Menger Hotel, Impress your guests with elegant, Victorian-era venues in Alamo City. Kent Keeth, "Sankt Antonius: Germany in the Alamo City of the 1850's,"Southwestern Historical Quarterly76 (October 1972). If we choose to assess the spirit world in terms of energy, the overall feeling at the Menger is not cold fear, but intrigue. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Doing dinner tours through the Menger has only reaffirmed her conviction that we do not walk alone. Experience an exciting celebration at a historic hotel. Today our hotel of choice is The Historic Menger Hotel situated in the heart of San Antonios history, which is extremely apropos since we are here for a Texas Historical Symposium. The Ghosts of the Menger Bar in San Antonio - Ghost City Tours the menger hotel san antonio the menger hotel san antonio photos the menger hotel san antonio location Eleanor Stuck, Well-known faces that are long gone are professed to still lurk the halls. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Moody Jr. in 1949. More than 275 articles on various hotel subjects have been posted in hotel magazines and on the Hotel-Online, Blue MauMau, Hotel News Resource and eTurboNews websites. From an older woman knitting in the lobby and a young, blond boy who plays in the rooms while the guests are sleeping to the sounds of marching and the sighting of military boots such as those worn by the Mexican soldiers who attacked the Alamo. Twitter: @camillesaccount, Tales of Texas Ghosts: The spirits of the historic Menger Hotel, Channel your inner Barbie at these San Antonio screenings, All the Spurs fans we saw at Southtown 101's Draft Party. In addition to its architectural significance, For more information about the history of the Menger Hotel, see the article on the Texas State Historical Associations Handbook of Texas Online. The Mengers purchased the best beef, chicken, fresh country butter and eggs the markets had to offer. Texas Historical Commission 1976 - Menger Hotel, in the Texas Historic Sites Atlas, http://atlas.thc.state.tx.us (accessed March 26, 2013). In 1877, newly-built railroad service to San Antonio contributed to the growing success of the Menger. Historic Hotels of America is the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation for recognizing and celebrating the finest Historic Hotels. It was constructed by owner William Menger and architect John Fries. See the hotel's facilities and local activities. The Menger was again renovated in the 1980s. The most famous story is that of Capt. With tradition and style befitting the oldest continuously operating hotel west of the Mississippi, the elegant Menger Hotel welcomes guests with a nod to San Antonios colorful past intermingled with its cosmopolitan presentall just steps from famous World Heritage Sitethe Alamo. It wasnt long before the Menger Hotel gained a reputation as one of the finest in the West, The original two-story building occupies a prominent location in downtown San Antonio, only 100 yards from the site of the Alamo. It wasnt long before the Menger Hotel gained a reputation as one of the finest in the West, attracting the famous and the infamous as her guests. WebThe Menger Hotel is a historic hotel located in downtown San Antonio, Texas, USA, on the site of the Battle of the Alamo. The Menger Hotel, seen in this old postcard, was a meeting place for many cattle barons who often made deals in the opulent lobby. The building provided studio space for renowned sculptor Gutzor Borglum, most famous for his work at Mt. It is referred to as the greatest mountain in the world. Other significant visitors included the 19th president of the United States. Mary Baumschlueter Guenther (soon to be Menger) arrived in San Antonio in 1846. Menger The hotel now boasts five stories, 316 rooms and unparalleled amenities. The first time Teddy Roosevelt stayed at the Menger was on a hunting trip in 1898. The Menger has been featured in several paranormal programs and articles throughout the years. https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/menger-hotel. Finally, the Library of Congress Website provides copies of the Historic American Buildings Survey Report prepared for the property and includes historic photographs and drawings of the building. According to Swartz, Sallie White was a chambermaid at the Menger Hotel who met a tragic end on March 30, 1876. Her The building provided studio space for renowned sculptor Gutzor Borglum, most famous for his work at Mt. RJ Marquez has been at KSAT since 2010. But it all started with William Menger, an influential figure who gave back as much as he got from the city. Stress-free & Flexible Cancellation up to 24 hours, fee is waived. The Menger is adjacent to the Alamo and opened in 1859 The identity of this ghostly visage is unknown, but it could be Louis Moses Rose, otherwise known as the coward of the Alamo. He was the only man who did not cross William Travis line drawn in the earth to fight on; the only man who ran away under the cover of darkness. The Menger Hotel - Historic Hotels Worldwide | Historic Hotels of Tales of Texas Ghosts: The spirits of the historic Menger We have the Complete Package to take care of all your meeting needs. Today, Sallies presence is one of the most often reported by guests. Theodore Roosevelt, Babe Ruth, Mae West, and Robert E. Lee all stayed there at one point or another. He served for eleven years as Chairman of the Board of the Trustees of the City Club of New York and is now the Honorary Chairman. Menger Hotel He's covered a variety of stories and events across the San Antonio area, and is the lead reporter for KSAT Explains. Teddy Roosevelt once used the hotel's warm, wood-paneled bar as a military HQ for a brief stint during the Spanish-American war. Historic hotels are wonderful places to discover meaningful familial ties while reuniting with loved ones. Richard King, the founder of King Ranch. Site Map. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. That night, the psychic predicted that the unhappy spirit will send her a message. When she returned home, her husband, Henry Wheeler, was enraged, and shot her in the stomach. Menger Hotel The hotel just celebrated 160 years. While these two are probably the most famous specters attached to the Mengers name, Swartz made me aware of another oft-sighted spirit that moves through the hotels wallpapered halls in death just as she did in life. Prior to forming his hotel consulting firm, Turkel was the Product Line Manager for worldwide Hotel/Motel Operations at the International Telephone & Telegraph Co. overseeing the Sheraton Corporation of America. This historic hotel in San Antonio. Menger Hotel - The City of San Antonio - Official City Menger - Famoushotels.org The hotel was so successful that Menger immediately made plans to build an addition between the hotel and his brewery. Raymond Boryczka, "The Busiest Man in Town: John Hermann Kampmann and the Urbanization of San Antonio, Texas, 18481885,"Southwestern Historical Quarterly115 (April 2012). Sallie is now seen wandering the third-floor hallways, apparently still working where she was most comfortable. The hotel housed studio space for renowned sculptor Gutzon Borglum, most famous for his work at Mt. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. The Menger Hotels dining room was well-known for its cuisine. The building was not the hotel itself, but gave them the idea for one. Historic Partner Hotel of the Alamo - The Historic Menger Another 5-story addition was constructed in 1966 followed by the most recent major renovations in 1988. , Digital Journalist Throwback Thursday: Menger Hotel history features notable guests, stories, mysteries Menger Hotel just celebrated 160 years in operation at Section 107 related to Copyright and Fair Use for Non-Profit educational institutions, which permits the Texas State Historical Association (TSHA), to utilize copyrighted materials to further scholarship, education, and inform the public. Bill Miller's chicken strips have San Antonians questioning everything, Buc-ee's opens biggest store yet in Tennessee, dethroning New Braunfels, 5 teens were killed in a car that swerved off a road and sank in a Florida pond, Lovable Brady Bunch star immersed herself in San Antonio-area church, San Antonio Poker Palace sued for not paying rent, reportedly closes, Here are 6 new stores planned for San Antonio in 2023 and beyond, One of the oldest mansions in Texas beckons architecture and ghost story lovers alike, 7 dog-friendly national parks that welcome your pup. All copyrighted materials included within the Handbook of Texas Online are in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. The Menger Hotel was constructed amid the great industrialization and subsequent social reform movements that impacted America throughout the second-half of the 19th century. One of the most iconic and historically significant buildings in San Antonio, the original portion of the National Register of Historic Places-listed Menger Hotel, was constructed on Alamo Plaza in 1859 by German immigrants Mary and William Menger. Throughout its early history, the Menger served as the hotel of choice for visiting dignitaries, politicians, and socialites. This historic hotel in San Antonio. However, it is my experience, especially while eyeing the hotels striking second-story Victorian banisters, imbued with their own creepy Confederate connotations, that at times, Texas history can be harder to reckon with than paranormal ghosts. Cookies & Privacy Policy| This original portion of the hotel has housed personalities such as Theodore Roosevelt, Sidney Lanier, Babe Ruth, Mae West, Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant, Sarah Bernhardt and Gutzon Borglumjust to name a few. The Menger Hotel is sold to Major J.H. Step into our exquisite Victorian lobby and be transported back to a time when Theodore Roosevelt gathered his Rough Riders in our very own Menger Bar. Why is the Menger Hotel famous? - Scholar Plug An elegant anchor just steps from the Alamo, our storied hotel has played host to generations of guests who delight in its architectural grandeur, glamorous public spaces, and thoughtful modern-day services and amenities. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, An unidentified figure appears in the mirror at the Menger Bar. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". The Texas de Brazil restaurant is located on the ground floor of the six-story structure, which has undergone renovations in the last few years. William Menger died at the hotel in March 1871, and Mary Menger and son William took over management. The hotel was popular with army personnel from Fort Sam Houston and enjoyed a wide patronage. This week, we profile the spirits of the historic Menger Hotel, who each seem to linger for different reasons. There was a need for more boarding houses to house the Confederate soldiers who were stationed in San Antonio. The hotels guestrooms were shut down because of the Menger familys use of the building. Menger had moved to San Antonio in the early 1840s, and eventually boarded and worked as a handyman at Marys boarding house. Walk the hallowed grounds on which both Union and Confederate soldiers marched and fought during this tumultuous period in history. Two of his hotel books have been promoted, distributed and sold by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (Great American Hoteliers: Pioneers of the Hotel Industry and Built To Last: 100+ Year-Old Hotels East of the Mississippi). Establishing the beginning of 1859 Sylvia Ann Santos,Courthouses of Bexar County 1731-1978(San Antonio: Bexar County Historical Commission, 1979). Files, Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library, San Antonio. Cookies & Privacy Policy| The Menger Bar feels authentic, even though it was built as a replica of the House of Lords Pub. These historic hotels offer an abundance of thrilling outdoor activities to enjoy. A member of Historic Hotels of America since 1989. JUNE 2021: Victorian-era banisters at the Menger, decorated for Fiesta. Vertical Files, San Antonio Conservation Society Library. The hotel is located directly Enjoy the scenery and fresh mountain air at any one of these historic hotels. Learn about The Menger Hotel's history. Mary was also known for throwing lavish dinner parties for celebrity guests that only further proved her culinary excellence. It declined during the Great Depression, but in the mid-1940s, the building was Known for its boutique sidewalk cafes and clubs, Houston Street is San Antonios oldest and most popular hangout for dining, nightlife, and music. It was constructed by owner William Menger and architect John Fries. Menger Hotel History - Historic Hotels Worldwide Kampmann, who adds a three-story addition to the north and an east wing with a cherry-wood bar modeled after the House of Lords Club taproom in London. As the hotel grew in popularity, so did its folklore and legend. The Menger Hotel's history. Soon after, she married Charles Guenther and ran a boarding house, where she met William Menger. We are a community-supported, non-profit organization and we humbly ask for your support because the careful and accurate recording of our history has never been more important. She began swaying slightly and motioning at me with her hands and her dark, flashing eyes. Terms & Conditions| What Happens If You Destroy A Hotel Room? An ornamental marquee is added to the exterior, and the original (south) lobby is embellished with a new marble floor and Renaissance-revival style details. What happened at the Menger Hotel San Antonio? Texas is as haunted as it is historic, so every week, we explore a different Texas ghost story. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. William Menger emigrated to Texas from Germany and dreamed of opening a brewery, which he did in the 1850s. Mary arrived in San Antonio in 1846 and when her husband died soon after her arrival, she opened a boarding house. Menger Hotel The hat of the famous bandstand in front of the Menger Hotel was removed Friday morning and hauled to its relocation site. King loved the Menger Hotel and, when he learned he was ill, booked his favorite room at the hotel and passed away there. Other renovations during this period included the addition of an artesian well, steam laundry service, electric lights, and a steam-powered elevator. As its said, places with lots of historic activity (like Teddy and his Rough Riders), tend to make for great I sat bolt upright and shook my head vigorously in a vain effort to will the vision away. When Can We Watch Hotel Transylvania 4 In Theaters? 1007 Ave. K Marble Falls, TX 78654, Tejano night at Marble Falls Summer Concert Series, Summer Concert Series kicks off with country. Receive for Free - Discover & Explore eNewsletter monthly with advance notice of special offers, packages, and insider savings from 10% - 30% off Best Available Rates at selected hotels. Historic Hotels of America preserves the authenticity of America's most prominent lodging addresses and offers visitors a richer travel experience Our diverse selection of hotels, inns, and resorts are the perfect locations to create lasting memories with the people who mean the most to you. The hotel featured a tunnel opening off the basement, through which William Menger led groups of selected guests on tours of the adjacent brewery. Explore the immense variety of activities these historic destination resorts. Mr. The Colonial Dining Room at the Menger Hotel was known far and wide for its cuisine.Click to see full answer. the Mengers story began in 1840 when twenty-year-old German Immigrant One of the most iconic and historically significant buildings in San Antonio, the original portion of the National Register of Historic Places-listed Menger Hotel, was constructed on Alamo Plaza in 1859 by German immigrants Mary and William Menger. The finishing of the walls and ceilings being developed and executed by our fellow citizen P.C. Open since 1859, the Menger Hotel is perhaps the most famously haunted place in San Antonio, with no fewer than 32 known spirits. In the winter of 187273 Sidney Lanier made his home at the Menger while he wrote the sketch "San Antonio de Bexar." Rushmore. Join our growing community of academics, professionals, and history enthusiasts of all levels and ages. Here youll find five historic mission sites, scenic riverboat cruises, art and history museums, and some of our favorite places to drink and dine. The number of other ghosts seen in the Menger is as high as 43. Explore these historic hotels that reside along the shorelines of Americas finest beaches, lakes, and rivers. Another ghost that has been seen is that of a man wearing buckskin. More than a dozen U.S. presidents have visited the Menger from Ulysses S. Grant to Bill Clinton, who A masterpiece of traditional elegance and atmosphere has been created over the past 130 years. After her first husband died in 1850, Mary and William married in 1851. Fries was responsible for several other buildings of note in the area including the original City Market House and Casino Hall, both of which have since been demolished. Air conditioning is installed in the hotel along with a new lobby and a four-story, 125-room addition. In other words, youre steps from the citys best shopping, dining, and entertainment. The KSAT 12 News Team offers a report on the latest news of the day, as well as updates on sports, San Antonio area weather and rush-hour traffic issues. Discover the majesty of the countrys national parks through these historic hotels. Swartz calls them "residual entities.". The Moody family is the current owner the Menger and saved it in the 1940s after World War II. Site Map, Copyright 2023 Historic Hotels of America It does not store any personal data. Wineries; letting them in on on the famous, the infamous and the not so famous places that dot the countryside and cities. Mengers spirit still lives on with the staff that work hard every day to keep it going. Works published by Stanley Turkel include: Most of these books can be ordered from AuthorHouse(except Heroes of the American Reconstruction, which can be ordered from McFarland)by visiting www.stanleyturkel.com, or by clicking on the books title. It provided food service in order to feed the officers and soldiers. What is the Kress Building in San Antonio? Experience the best historic destinations throughout the United States. He also writes a weekly Spurs newsletter. The undersigned has with great care and expense built and fitted out a large & commodious hotel on Alamo Square which [will] be opened on the 1st of February 1859. It's a troubling history that we can trace to today. I personally feel like the historic rooms are our best rooms in general, said Kennedy. William Sydney Porter mentioned the hotel several times in his stories. Later, after her encounter with the psychic, Swartz discovered the same sign face down in the hallway. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. And, even today, with its updated and remodeled look, the Menger remains a popular stop for first-class business and family travelers. These historic hotels offer an abundance of thrilling outdoor activities to enjoy. Discover special accommodations for pets and these companions can relax in style.

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why is the menger hotel famous