Marker Inscription
Joseph Alexander Kemp (1861-1930), a Wichita Falls merchant, and Morris Lasker (1840-1916), a native of Prussia who later served as state senator from Galveston, formed a partnership in 1892 for the construction of a hotel at this site. Built by Myles O'Reilly, the three-story St. James Hotel was completed one year later and became the center of area social events. Guests were attracted by the good food and by the music of a hotel orchestra. Business began to decline as new hotels opened in the area and in 1929 the building was demolished. (1980)
About this site
St. James Hotel, Site of is a historical marker in Wichita Falls, Wichita County, dedicated in 1980. It is one of 73 historical markers documented in Wichita County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 87 historic sites cataloged across the county.
The site sits at 33.9155, -98.4900 near Wichita Falls. The nearest cataloged historic site is Wichita Falls Route Building (historic place), about 0.1 miles away. Others within a short drive include O'Donohoe, John F., Soule, George Alonzo, and Wichita Falls Bank Robbery of 1896.
This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5485004889. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.
