Nacogdoches Historic Landmark Preservation Committee 2017 Historic Preservation Award Winner

Media Contact
Name: Brian Bray
Title: Community Services Director
Phone: 936-559-2960
Email address: brayb@ci.nacogdoches.tx.us

Every year, the Nacogdoches Historic Landmark Preservation Committee seeks to honor a local preservationist – someone who has helped to preserve a piece of historic Nacogdoches. The committee examines restoration efforts completed within the previous two years and chooses the project that shows exceptional merit in the field of historic preservation. The committee had a tough decision to make as there were three highly merited projects nominated. Ultimately the Nacogdoches Historic Landmark Preservation Committee chose Richard DeWitt and his exceptional preservation work of the Fredonia Hotel at 200 N. Fredonia Street.

The Fredonia Hotel is well-known to citizens of Nacogdoches as a longtime landmark of the Historic Downtown. Richard and his wife, Barbara, were keen to bring the hotel back to its former glory, the centerpiece of a thriving commercial district. The Hotel was constructed in 1954-55, largely financed by the citizens of Nacogdoches. Hotel Fredonia, as it was named then, closed in 2013 after decades of decline and the DeWitts purchased the property in September 2015. Most of the work occurred on the interior, including a total demolition of walls and ceilings. The exterior of the Hotel stayed true to the original – a new sign logo hangs on the slab-like tower; the courtyard was gutted and rebuilt, keeping the same footprint with a pool, and a former parking lot was turned into an additional courtyard area, complete with pool, fire pits and an outdoor movie theater.

Preserving a historic building takes patience and perseverance, and the Historic Landmark Preservation Committee would like to thank everyone who is involved in preserving the heritage of Nacogdoches and encourage others to follow in Mr. DeWitt’s footsteps by making the effort to create an even better version of our city! If you would like to know more about the Nacogdoches Historic Landmark Preservation Award, please contact Historic Preservation Officer Brian W. Bray at (936) 559-2960.