Friday's Photo: Hotel Giddens

Hotel Giddens - Edinburg, Texas

In 1947, Charles A. Giddens and his 2nd wife, Estella Giddens, left St. Louis where they owned a clothing store to become hoteliers. Hotel Giddens, at 410-412 Closner Boulevard in Edinburg, Hildago County, Texas, was formerly the Gateway Inn. 

It appears that the hotel was purchased for "$10.00 and other good and valuable consideration."  Does this mean that the hotel was actually purchased for only $10? I am hoping someone can answer this question.

Charles and Estella remodeled the hotel and the formal opening was held on December 15, 1947. The hotel was home to visitors and small businesses. 

Charles and Estella sold the hotel for $65,000.00 to Hector Beauckelaere of Wayne County, Michigan on September 16, 1949. In 1954, the agreement with Hector was canceled and the hotel sold for $45,000.00 to O.S. Wyatt and A. A. Moore. 

The Edinburg City Directory published in December of 1949 indicated that Charles and Estella were living in Edinburg at 217 East Lovett Street. It was written in the directory that Charles was retired. However, Charles and Estella must have left Texas prior to the publication of the directory as they purchased land just prior to December 1, 1949 in Sedalia, Missouri where they lived their remaining years. 

Diana

© 2015

"1 Aug 1947, Page 10 - at Newspapers.com." N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Aug. 2015. <http://www.newspapers.com/image/41351543/?terms=%22c%2Ba%2Bgiddens%22>.

"14 Dec 1947, Page 17 - Valley Morning Star at Newspapers.com." N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Aug. 2015. <http://www.newspapers.com/image/?spot=3009910>.

Family photographs and documents from the collection of Diana Bryan Quinn.

General Warranty Deed from R. E. Hamme, and wife, Irene Hamme, and C. J. Hamme and wife, Fairy Hamme to C. A. Giddens and wife, Estella Giddens, 24 June 1947. (filed 21 July 1947), Hildago County, Texas, Deed Book 613, page 628. County Clerk's Office, Edinburg, Texas.

General Warranty Deed from C. A. Giddens and Estella Giddens to Hector Beuckelarere, 16 Sept. 1949. (filed 23 Sept. 1949), Hildago County, Texas, Deed Book 670, page 606. County Clerk's Office, Edinburg, Texas.

General Warranty Deed from C. A. Giddens and Estella Giddens to O. S. Wyatt and A. A. Moore, 1 Nov. 1954. (filed 8 Dec. 1954), Hildago County, Texas, Deed Book 356, page 196. County Clerk's Office, Edinburg, Texas.

"U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989 for Census Figures Rect." U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989 forCensus Figures Rect. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Aug. 2015. <http://interactive.ancestry.com/2469/4830124/384923023>.

"U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989 for Drive-In Sibley's."  N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Aug. 2015. <http://interactive.ancestry.com/2469/4830124/384923023>.