COUNTY LIFE
Fillmore Hotel a time capsule; couple renovating a unique 1924 gem
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
“NOCONA, Texas – The new modern 40-room brick Hotel Fillmore was formally opened with a banquet and ball Wednesday evening. The spacious dining room was filled to overflowing with the public-spirited citizens of Nocona and their guests from other cities.” Oct. 23, 1924, Wichita Falls Times Record News.
Nearly 100 years after that grand opening, the Hotel Fillmore has new life breathed into it by new owners Eddie Fenoglio Jr. and his wife Chris. They have filled the downstairs retail spaces, replaced windows boarded up for 60 years, restored penny tile floors and now walk the dusty, but pristine pine floors trying to envision what’s next for the hotel.
Located at the corner of Clay and Elm Street, the two-story Hotel Fillmore was the gem of North Texas when it opened in 1924. It featured modern amenities such as steam heat, a dining room fit for banquets of up to 250 people, hot and cold running water, in-room baths for some rooms and electric lights. It was described as well-lighted and ventilated across its 42 rooms.
The ground floor had a drugstore, Our Drug, a barber shop, a cafe, office space and an expansive lobby with a beautiful carpeted stairway to the upstairs rooms.
It also was adjacent to another magnificent building for its time, the Millstone Theater, which was next door. It opened in 1920 and had been built for motion pictures complete with a pipe organ. Later the post office was put in the building.
History shows the theater closed May 22, 1937. After the theater closed the community still used the building for pageants and other programs. The hotel closed in the mid-1960s. Eddie explains when the Balls lived upstairs above the theater there were six rooms and they had boarders. There were lots of oil men working the 1920s oil boom and they stayed full. Bunny found it was one of the reasons they decided they needed to build a hotel.
Read the full feature in your weekend Bowie News.
Inside today find a special section Remembering 9/11 on the 25th anniversary of this pivotal day in America’s history.
This section provides an hour by hour account of that day to inform those who may not familiar with the details. We pay tribute to all those who faced the attacks and helped save those in danger from all walks of life. May this tribute remind you of all America lost that day and how the country moved forward.
Area young people from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade are invited to take part in the Art of the Song Young Visual and Performing Arts Exhibition on Oct. 10 during the annual music festival in Nocona.
Entry is free and artists may enter up to three pieces of artwork. One entry must be music-related, while the other two can be any art medium or genre. Drop-off artwork from noon to 6 p.m. on Oct. 7 at 103 Clay Street.
Art will be displayed starting at 10 a.m. on Oct. 10. Those with questions may call R. Marie Molsbee, 940-887-0165 or horse.power.ranch.nocona@gmail.com.
The performing arts portion will be at Bitters & Sweets, 206 Clay Street. If you have a child who loves to sing, dance or play an instrument or perform? Let them share their talents in a performance at the Art of the Song.
Those interested in the performing arts program may contact Carla at 940-765-5619 or carlad@bittersandsweetsbar.com.
The staff, board of directors and volunteers of Tales ‘N’ Trails Museum are making plans for the group’s major fundraiser, “Shebang” on Sept. 26.
This year Shebang will join in all the celebrations for America’s 250th birthday.
Mark your calendar when the doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $50 per person and $350 for a table of eight. Shebang takes place in the H.J. Justin Building at 100 Clay Street.
The evening will feature a dinner prepared by local chefs, fun games where you could win a prize, live and silent auctions, plus the popular bucket auction where you never know who will win. A new menu is being served that will feature prime rib, roasted sweet potatoes, hominy casserole, broccoli salad and strawberry shortcake.
Reservations are being taken now, just call the museum at 825-5330. Proceeds from the Shebang help pay for annual operating costs of the museum. Call 825-5330 to purchase tickets, also visit the website at talesntrails.org to see auction items and learn more about the museum.
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