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Lewisville Hotel

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The Lewisville Hotel was built on this site in 1898 and operated continuously until it was destroyed by fire in 1976. During most of that time, it served as a hotel and boarding house for men only. The two-story white wooden building featured a second-floor balcony overlooking Main Street. It was purchased in 1960 by Velma McDonald and her husband Samuel, who ran the hotel for more than 16 years until the fire.

  • Lewisville Hotel 1

    Lewisville Hotel street view

    Lewisville Hotel was built in 1898 at the southwest corner of Main and Kealy streets. It primarily served as a hotel or boarding house for men until it was destroyed by fire in 1976. The car parked by the entrance is an early-1950s Buick.

  • Lewisville Hotel 2

    Lewisville Hotel side view

    In this 1970 photo, Thelma Maxwell, twin sister of owner Velma McDonald, poses near the front entrance on Main Street.

  • Velma side of hotel

    Velma McDonald

    The hotel was purchased in 1960 by Velma McDonald (pictured) and her husband. She sold the hotel in 1972.

  • Hotel side

    Trailer on the side of the hotel

    For a short time Velma's mother lived in a small trailer parked on the side of the hotel. After she passed the space was then offered to couples to use during their stay at the hotel.

  • Velma McLeroy and Samuel Perry McDonald 2

    Velma McDonald and Samuel Perry McDonald

    Once a month Velma would serve up BBQ lunches and a special lunch on holidays.

  • Velma McLeroy and Samuel Perry McDonald

    Velma McDonald and Samuel Perry McDonald

    Velma and her husband Samuel were fascinated by the hotel's historical exterior and interior.

  • 1976 Lewisville Hotel with flames

    Fire at Lewisville Hotel

    Flames came be seen coming out of the roof of the Lewisville Hotel that caught on fire on Aug. 4, 1976.

  • 1976 Firefighter at Lewisville Hotel

    Firefighter

    Firefighter Bill Ridinger leaning over a water cannon fighting the flames at the Lewisville Hotel fire on Aug. 4, 1976.

  • Hotel after fire with snow (2)

    After the fire in 1976

    Fire broke out in the attic of the hotel on Aug. 5, 1976.

  • Hotel after fire with snow

    After the fire in 1976

    At the time of the fire the hotel was fully occupied, but only about a dozen persons were in the building when the fire started.


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