Beach Hotel
Port Lavaca, Calhoun County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Constructed in 1904 by local merchant and real estate agent C. U. Yancy, the Beach Hotel has been a part of the Port Lavaca landscape for generations. At the time of its construction, the hotel was the tallest building in town. Tourists from San Antonio and other inland cities often rode special excursion trains to Port Lavaca to enjoy the recreational opportunities along the coast and to stay in the hotel. Traveling salesmen frequently lodged here, and the hotel's dining room was the site of numerous community social events. (1991)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
When merchant C. U. Yancy built the Beach Hotel in 1904, it was the tallest building in Port Lavaca, a beacon for a coastal town courting tourists. Special excursion trains carried vacationers down from San Antonio and other inland cities to enjoy the Gulf, while traveling salesmen lodged in its rooms and townsfolk gathered in its dining hall. For generations it was the social heart of the community.
Why it matters
The hotel embodies the rise of rail-borne coastal tourism that turned quiet Gulf towns into getaway destinations in the early 20th century.
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Related people
- · C. U. Yancy
Themes & tags
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