The Redlands Hotel in Palestine Texas

If you are looking for a beautiful and unique place to stay in East Texas then you have come to the right place. Whether you are traveling with family or out for a romantic weekend getaway you will not be disappointed. 

Today I have the absolute pleasure to introduce you to the owner of this fine establishment herself, Jean Mollard, who will talk to us about everything The Redlands Historic Hotel has to offer. 

Wellcome To:

The Redlands Hotel in Palestine Texas!

The History and Character of The Redlands Hotel

The Redlands Hotel was built with the confidence of a new century in 1915, but fell into a rocky patch about 1918 due to WWI. In 1919, it was rescued to become the home office for a national railroad, International & Great Northern Railway. As the major employer, it was linked to the livelihood and future of the citizens of Palestine.

As a national office from 1919 to 1955, the building became home to the railroad and the source of the income. Even today, railroad jobs are important to the city. The quality of the steel and concrete building allowed it to be useful for all those years and to stand up to the 20 years of neglect when the office moved in 1955.

Yes, it is a labor of love, we respect the quality of construction, the design of the exterior and the woodwork that remained in the lobby, doors and foyer areas. This award was for section of the original lobby.

The woodwork as it was built in 1914-15 was not easy to replicate in the areas which were missing or damaged and the wood trim was a size we don't have today. The designs on the trim, window and door frames and moldings had to be cut with custom knives.

Each window has as many as 8 strips of molding stacked to replicate the thickness and shape of the original. We made accommodations for modern day wiring and air conditioning. This portion of our lobby took about 6 months. We look at the building with "architectural archeology" in mind, and finding bits of the past in the exposed plaster, brick or wood, which tell us the paint colors of 1914 along with the style of woods.

The second floor is for reading everything on the wall (sometimes its the floor for the ones who can't sleep). We have historic magazines showing railroad history and a showcase of railroad historical pieces such as railroad lamps, tools and guidebooks. This is the floor the sunlight filters down through the skylight showing off its stained glass. 

The Decor at The Redlands Hotel

This broad period of time (50 years) encompassed media that shared newspapers and magazines nationwide. Everyday machinery, electricity, beginning of automobiles, peak of trains, mechanized fabric production, etc. I appreciate the styles of any decade as it relates to its time in history. 

My antique business of reselling household pieces to individuals morphed in 1979 to a wholesale business of building around industrial artifacts lasting through to 2019.

The lovely wardrobe door being used in suite 303 as a headboard was once an important wardrobe from a hotel in Jefferson which I bought in 1980's... I just could not part with it.

When we were placing appropriate furnishings in the lobby, we felt there was a need for a clock. This repeater clock from International Time Recording Company was a similar period to the building. We felt it just belonged in that spot. These kind of clocks were commonly located in public spaces of the day.

The cage style elevator in the lobby is a reminder of technology past. This was the first elevator in the building in 1914 .. today's guests would not be happy with cage walls that are open, but the artwork of the cage and the possible chandelier that hung there is appealing. Comparing the high tech items of 1914 with today always astounds our guests.

There is a beautiful glass ball shaped chandelier in our lobby which once hung in the atrium entrance. The glass is almost 1/2 thick and the solid brass chain gives it a sturdy appearance like the solid design of the building. There are two pieces dating back to the railroad office days of 1920's .. a desk we use every day in our office and a pendulum oak wall clock now hanging in our lobby. These two remind me of the people who once worked at that desk and those who watched that clock.

Stories of time ...

The Stay at The Redlands Historic Hotel 

Our most requested Suite is 209 for the balcony and king bed. 

Another favorite is Suite 301 for its walls of windows and door directly to the courtyard. Suite 405 is quite popular as well, for its panoramic windows on three sides (situated at end of corridor).

Our meeting room and dining are the locations for many happy occasions such as anniversary and birthday parties, weddings, rehearsal dinners, bunco clubs, business meetings and family reunions. 

Our Chef, Joe Massa has been here about a year and he specializes in seafood.

The young man you met, Dylan Hogan, started working part time and now wants to be in the restaurant business as his career. The others are names Nick and Zaq Hogan, relatives who work well together in the restaurant business for years. They all relish in making "from scratch" all the foods and sauces.

The works in the restaurant are by William E Young showing a whimsical side of Palestine. I feel art is the expression of the senses from one person to others. Recently we had a showing of a local persons collection which included many local artists who are no longer working and there was much talk about them... so it does matter.

The glass train picture which hangs over a door between the restaurant and bar captures lots of talk as it is illuminated by the evening sun (its almost 70 years old.). Not exactly art, but gallery feeling are the hallways on the second, third and fourth floor with historical photos and train memoriabilia.

Amenities and Attractions 

The bar with the restaurant is a lovely stop starting at 4 pm. There are small meeting gatherings in the side room off the bar. Stopping in for a quick one before dinner changing for dinner.

We have several businesses like the Masseuse with a shop in the basement, the hair stylist bringing top shelf hair products and service and a music business who will teach you to write songs or play instruments. There is truly a sense of culture with all senses stimulated.

One of the best places to visit The Railroad Experience with the model train railroad . The museum materials and knowledge of the volunteers who operate it is fascinating.

The Texas State Railroad for a train excursion. A must see is also The Main Street District for shopping and dining. From the Visitor Center to the Courthouse there are 44 business and store fronts. 

Eillenberger Bakery, OxBow Bakery, Texas Theater, Pint & Barrel Pub, Dickens Jewelry, Courthouse. Three residential Historic Districts for driving.

The Redlands is truly unique and special because so much of the architecture is preserved inside and out. Guests can see and learn about the style of work from the period of the early 1900s. They can also have a modern experience with the suites or the restaurant, while enjoying the ambiance of the past.

During the prom time for our high schools here, the young students use our building as a backdrop for their elegant attire... we are so proud because those photos will be with them forever and this building will always be remembered. Who would have thought they would want it to be their memory? We know this will be remembered far more than a standard hotel for all of our guests.

Final Thoughts

This hotel is my family's dream ... at first it was an inexpensive way to have useful space, but turned into the labor of love as we began to see its potential as a beautiful historic building. 

A speaker at the opening celebration in 1915 noted: "This enduring pile of steel and stone stands today as it promises to stand a century hence as a work of art and as a structure eminently adapted for its purpose". In 2015 .. we repeated that phrase for its second hundred.

The Architects were Henry T Phelps and James F Brook . The Redlands Hotel was built by the Palestine Hotel Company, a private business with about 100 stockholders to fill the need for hotel space for the railroad traffic. It was built with much excitement as the most modern of its day with running water and electricity.

The Redlands was an imposing design against the one and two two story late 1900 downtown structures.

"This enduring pile of steel and stone stands today as it promises to stand a century hence as a work of art and as a structure eminently adapted for its purpose." 

A Speaker at the Opening Ceremony for The Redlands Hotel

1915

About Jean

Mary Jean Mollard is the owner of the The Redlands Hotel in Palestine Texas. She is very passionate about tourism in Palestine TX, restoration of old buildings, antiques and advocating for young business owners.

Jean served as Main Street Advisory Board Chair working to make Main Street Palestine successful and beneficial to business owners as well as the community. Her support for the local business owners and artists is evident in The Redlands Hotel, where work from local artists is proudly displayed. 

She is an inredible hostess, who welcomes visitors to The Redlands, as she would welcome family. Jean is always there to help as needs arise or answer any questions about the history of the hotel or Palestine, TX. Both her and her husband Mike will make your visit unforgetable, so head out to East Texas for a stay at this unique and truly one of a kind historic property.

"Her successful style of business marketing was to appeal to the six senses instead of the standard approach of bottom line management. Her Redlands Building is an example of the sixth sense approach by offering extended stay apartments to business travelers with a touch of history, community spirit and the amenities of today." 

Cheril Vernon - Palestine Herald Press, Oct. 2012

The Redlands Hotel Useful Links: 

• Visit The Redlands Hotel Website  The Redlands Hotel
• For Booking Call directly at 800-550-5445 or find more info Here 
• Learn more about fine dining at the property at  Queen St Grill site
• For your next meeting, retreat or event check out the beautiful  Meeting Room
• Read about  The History of the Redlands Hotel
• See the many attractions and activities  Palestine Texas has to offer
  

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