The Knox Hotel
By Shala Scarlato
The Knox Hotel had a grand opening on June 3rd, 1894, to a large crowd of boarders and curious townsfolk. Mrs. Sarah Putnam and her assistant welcomed both with a grand feast. While this was the proper opening, research points to a softer opening sometime in May of 1894. The Hotel stated that “No $4 a day house in the country will surpass it—and the rates are only $2.50 a day”
In its first year, the Hotel went through three management changes. Mrs. Sarah Putnam left in July of 1894 to travel with her son and daughter-in-law to California. It is not ever mentioned whether they arrived safely. The second person to take over is Mr. J. F. Jones of Abilene. Mr. Jones and his wife moved to Thurber July 21st, 1894,but Mr. Jones’ management stay at the Knox was short-lived. Major John F Wheadon took over the Knox hotel in September 1894. Mrs. Jones stayed on as help, but her husband moved onto working at the food house and hotel and Thurber Junction. Major Wheadon also took over the Food House and Hotel sometime in 1895. The hotel was taken over by Mr. AL. Freel in 1897. While the service was always good, management was where the Knox struggled the most.
The Hotel was supposed to be one of the best hotels between Abilene and Ft. Worth. Heavy praises were given in the Texas Miner. The hotel catered to both long-term stays and short-term. With an average of at least ten new boarders a week. Within less than a year the hotel was already planning upgrades. Enlargement of the hotel was mentioned in May of 1895, and the improvements were made in August of the same year.
The Knox Hotel attracted business executives, democrat and republican politicians, travelers, and the townspeople. A traveling man was overheard saying he found the “best beds and best beef steak at Hotel Knox.” The Knox Hotel offered their guests more than just food and board. The hotel offered electricity in all the rooms. Warm and Cold-water, and Mineral baths. It also had a connection to the Livery Stable that brought patrons to and from the Hotel. While it is known for its price of two dollars and fifty cents a day, in August of 1895 the price for transient visitors was lowered to two dollars. This change in price seems to answer the question of whether there were full-time boarders.
Many local chapters and societies used the Knox as a meeting place and a place for fun. Both the Lotus club and the Italian Society of Druids preferred the Knox hotel as a meeting place. At the time society debuts were normal and the young ladies met eligible bachelors in their gorgeous gowns for a night of dancing and getting to know more about each other. The hotel allowed traveling dentists and specialist doctors to set up practice for a bit to help improve the health of Thurber residents.
The Hotel sadly burned down on April 25th, 1907, thirteen years after its opening. A replacement, The Plummer Hotel was built, but it never compared to the well-loved Knox Hotel in looks or company according to those that stayed there. Today Knox Hotel has a Texas Historical Marker at its site, which was never granted to the Plummer. The Knox Hotel was well loved by the town of Thurber, as well as the people passing through, leading to a long-lasting memory in the hearts of Thurber residents and their kin.
