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:Hammond (La.) Wednesday Shopping Guide, August?, 1978, Page 11AV- • - •.H-IH! IV ;mn0A:,V‘” ...THE OLD St. James Hotel was the scene of a gala Political Rally when John Michel was a candidate for Governor. Louis J. Bourgeois, president of the hotel company, second from right in the front row,his son, the boy in front, and Commissioner of Agriculture Harry D. Wilson, first in second row, left, under flag, are the only ones identified.v*■M■*»«v- 4i* a .*v * *» i• •-!THE FORMER St. Jamesof North Cherry and EastHotel graced the corner Thomas streets. It wasestablished in 1896. A Landmark hotel that fell by the Wayside Or Fireside)Hammond's history of old St. James Hotel recalledBy EDNA CAMPBELLSpecial to The StarHotels were important establishments in the formative years of Hammond's development. In this era. salesmen and other business people did most of their traveling by train as there were very few automobiles. It was necessary their lodging place was conveniently located in the hub of the town and in walking distance to the railway station.One of these hotels familiar to manyof the oldtime residents was the St. James Hotel, located on the corner of North Cherry and East Thomas. The hotel was destroyed by fire in the mid I920’s. This was when it was operated by the Beazleys.The hotel had an early beginning with building plans cited in 1895. It was first named the Southern Hotel and one of the first proprietors was Edwin W. Mangann. with court records showing a Vendor’s Lien for property improvement Oct. 21.1896. W. E. Libby was notary public, Roswald Lillie wasacting for the Southwestern Building and Loan Association. Other legal transactions were recorded by Manganns in 1904. The next sale transaction was Dec. 5.1905 to RichardS. Blossman. a resident of Hammond.Ownership and name changed again March 30, 1907 when the hotel now named Newport Hotel, was sold by Maria Blossman and heirs to Joseph A. Gaude. Familiar officials and witnesses names for this record included John P. Mangin, Columbus.; . 1 /. .. . «. . 'V a.a#,js*.■Reid and B. Marvin Harvard.Changes occur again June 22, 1908 when a sale of property act is recorded from Gaude to Theresa Pohlman. The name next became the St. James Hotel Co., with Louis J. Bourgeois, president, representing the company August 17,1911.The hotel was sold March 30,1917 to Ethelred Stafford by the St. James Hotel Company.Sept. 27, 1919 Edward B. Stafford became owner of the hotel through purchase of a sheriff's sale, beinghighest bidder.NOSTALGIA Many of the present day residentsrecall the St. James Hotel. Its architectural lines were distinctive with gingerbread frills on the large woodwork frame building. Featured were .southern type dormer windows and a tall cupola.Paul Campbell, answering service agent, said he remembers deliveringpapers to the hotel. He recalls the hotel when Louis Bourgeois was there. Mrs. John Kluchin of Independence, former Belle Duhc. has fond memories visiting the hotel as a child when her uncle, Bourgeois, headed the establishment. Estelle Stire has memories of the hotel and Marie Wolters recalls passing the building while enroute to ThomasStreet. Mrs. Prudence Moore of Independence, longtime newspaper columnist, recalls having dinner at the hotel when Mrs. Beasley was there. Mrs. Beasley is a former resident of Independence, she was the wife of Dr. J. Strange, and mother of Dr. Jack Strange in New Orleans. Mrs. Bill Huck of Independence also remembers the hotel during the management of the Beasleys. Mrs. Huck's uncle. Commissioner Harry Wilson, is noted in the photo with John Michel, candidate for governor.The court records show the Hammond Vindicator as the publication listing legal transactions.
Newspaper Details
Hammond Wednesday Star
Hammond, Louisiana, US
Wed, Aug 09, 1978
Page 45
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
LA, USA 19 Feb 2019
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