GW-Images: The Luther Hotel, Palacious, Texas

The Luther Hotel was built in 1903 as the Palacious Hotel. It was purchased by the Luthers, I believe in the 1920's, moved to it’s present location overlooking Tres Palacious Bay and had the two wings added to either side. You don’t stay at the Luther for a five-star experience; you stay there to honor its history. Movie stars and two U S Presidents have stayed at the Luther. Sure it was probably a little spiffier then. There’s the odor of time, a mustiness to the Luther, The door to my bathroom didn’t latch, but it never came open and embarrassed me; the kitchen of the suite was reminiscent of the 50’s but I’m from the 30’s so it was an upgrade. I never figured out how to turn off the overhead fan on a fairly cold night so I put on an extra blanket. I only wish that I had taken more photographs.

I stayed at the Luther some forty years ago. Janet and I took down my aunt and uncle. Aunt Zelma had a love of the shore and the Luther is good for that. I have one of my favorite photos of her in her own world walking along the shore in front of the Luther. When Alcy and I decided to do a road trip hugging the coast I included Palacious on the itinerary. Wanted to drive by to see if the Luther was still in business. There is an old Tourist Court on the south of the Luther. It was added by the Luthers when travel by automobile became popular. What distinguishes a tourist court from a motel in my opinion is that the tourist court has each of the rooms separated by a garage for the automobile. I hadn’t seen a tourist court in years until I saw a very dilapidated one in Ranger when Paul and I made our Texas trip. This one is in much better condition but has not been restored. Should that happen I would like to stay there.

As we turned the corner behind the courts there was a late afternoon shadow thrown by an ancient tree. We had to photograph it. Afterwards we noticed some interesting looking buildings at the end of the block and decided to walk around the block. As we walked back to the Luther from the north we shot some photographs of the building. I had planned on driving to Victoria to locate a place to stay but asked Alcy if she would like to stay at the Luther; I could tell that she would. They did not have two singles left but they did have a suite with separate bedrooms. We decided to go for it.

We shot some late evening photos but I was too lazy to get out the tripod so they were not very good. But we were up and on the pier in front of the Luther before sunrise.

I do not know how long the Luther will survive. Jack, the present owner is the son-in-law of the Luther’s so I am assuming there is no other family line. I am sure the expense of maintenance for such a large building is considerable. One wing appears freshly painted, the other in need of paint. He charges what he feels is obtainable and knows that people are not trading in the Holiday Inn experience for the Luther. The rate was extremely reasonable. I’ve spent much more for a single at a chain.

The library/breakfast room. The books on the table are full of the history of the Luther. One is composed of letters from LBJ and Ladybird. Being a Republican I didn't read that one. Ike stayed there also but he didn't have a book.