Smith Building (Palace Hotel)
Canyon, Randall County, Texas
Marker Inscription
J. Frank Smith constructed this commercial building in 1906, the year Canyon was incorporated as a town. Elected to the first city board of alderman, Smith operated a land company on the second floor. The ground floor was initially occupied by the Canyon Mercantile & Hardware Store. S. B. McClure opened the Palace Hotel at this location in 1912. A cafe, first operated by P. D. Casey, later shared the first floor. Despite several changes in ownership, the Palace Hotel remained in operation until 1960. (1980)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
J. Frank Smith raised this commercial building in 1906, the very year Canyon incorporated as a town, and served on its first board of aldermen while running a land company upstairs. The ground floor first held the Canyon Mercantile & Hardware Store, and in 1912 S. B. McClure opened the Palace Hotel here, sharing space over the years with a cafe. Through several owners the Palace Hotel served travelers and townspeople until it finally closed in 1960.
Why it matters
The building charts the commercial coming-of-age of a Panhandle town, from frontier incorporation to a half-century hotel anchoring its main street.
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Related people
- · J. Frank Smith
- · S. B. McClure
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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