By SANDRA TUMBERLINSON
San Benito Historical Society
The Texas Historical Commission (THC) has recognized San Benito’s Stonewall Jackson Hotel as a significant part of Texas history with the awarding of an official Texas Historical Marker, also known as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark (RTHL).
“The designation honors the Stonewall Jackson Hotel as an important and educational part of local history and recognizes its architectural integrity as a historic structure,” according to the San Benito Historical Society (SBHS) leadership.
A dedication ceremony to commemorate the event will be held pending the arrival of the marker.
“The Official Texas Historical Marker program helps bring attention to community treasures and the importance of their preservation,” said Mark Wolfe, executive director of the THC.
“Awareness and education are among the best ways to guarantee the preservation of our state’s history. This designation is a tool that will increase public awareness of important cultural resources,” Wolfe added.
A subject qualifies for a marker if two basic criteria are met: historical significance and age.
Historical significance is established by reviewing its role and importance in local history, and the age requirement depends on the topic. The THC’s Official Texas Marker Policies are outlined in the Official Texas Historical Marker Procedures, which may be obtained by contacting the History Programs Division, Texas Historical Commission, at 512/463-5853 or visiting the web site at www.thc.texas.gov.
The construction of the Stonewall Jackson Hotel in 1927 was conceived by the prominent business leaders of the town as an economic investment that would help keep San Benito a prosperous community and nationally proclaim the area’s assets.
The development and financing of the hotel was secured through the nation’s top firm, the Hockenbury System, Inc. which observed the growing desire for grand hotels in small town across the nation and made the Stonewall Jackson Hotel a reality.
The civic leaders selected a renowned architect and preservationist, Harvey P. Smith, to design the hotel putting it on equal standing with work he did on the historic missions of the San Antonio area.
A nationally famous Texas artist, Royston Nave, was commissioned to paint the portrait of Stonewall Jackson which hung for years in the hotel lobby and is preserved in the Museum of San Benito, Community Building.
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