postcards of the rice hotel

--- houston, texas ---
(pass cursor over images to see info)

rice hotel on at left. this 1907 postcard reads: Everyone is well & still in berries!
 trolleys!
 yes, only two wings

main street, houston. rice hotel at left.

 the empire room in the 1940's

three wings in 1925

trees! 
the sumptuous flag room, 1969  
 

street scene (rice at right) 1951

trees replaced by an additional floor

fancy entryway

 

 

i tried to show these postcards in chronological order. the current structure was originally erected in 1912, replacing the previous hotel annexed by william marsh rice in 1883 (shown in first postcard), which was previously the capitol hotel, which was previously the actual capitol building until 1881 -- whew!

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the rice hotel was the first air-conditioned building in houston and the first hotel with an escalator. six presidents have visited the hotel and democrats hosted their national convention there in 1928. closing in 1977 for financial reasons and remained abandoned for over 20 years.  The building is now owned by post properties and newly restored, the hotel now serves houston as modern apartments.

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might be the only nightime postcard

 

these had some neat things to say:
 

 

Mr ------- E Leach
Buffalo, New York -- Mar 29, 1928

My dear you no doubt will be surprised to see where am.  Am visiting some young people who hire here.  And they certainly keep the Old Lady busy. Something doing morning noon and night.  Southerners are great entertainers.  Are you coming out to the convention?  I think you will find it pretty warm.  wonderful here now.  I will leave for New York next week. Hope you are well.  With much love I am

Affectionately Yours,

M.F. Fraley

 

 

To: Dr. &and Mrs. L W. Dowd
Little Rock, Arkansas -- Aug 30, 1937

Dear Mother & Dad,

Arrived in Houston today with the bomb.  Spent the day with Uncle Cliff and Aunt Ida.  Uncle Cliff is working with Plowder Supply Co.  If the bomb gets fixed I will return with Myrtis tomorrow night.

Love to you all,

Donald

To: Earl, Mary & Burt
Indianapolis, Indiana --  Mar 18, 1949

Dear Kiddos,

I'm getting all parked up to leave in the morning.  Took a walk around the city today and did some shopping both window and real.

Love, Daddy

 

 

To: E. Clotsworthy
(somewhere in the UK)

Dear Lizzie,

I sent your valentine in yesterday's post and hope you received it OK..

Your Loving Husband

EJ Clotsworthy

  

postcard with trees

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more postcards to come...
 
 
all items shown here are currently in the possession of and photographed by ayn.
i never borrow photos from other sites and would ask that you don't borrow
them from here... well, without emailing for a quick a-ok first, that is.  thanks!

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