Palacios Preservation Association
The Luther Hotel’s first planned demolition date of Dec. 19, 2022, is long gone and The Palacios Preservation Association had more good news this week. Judge Polly Spencer, probate judge based in San Antonio, ordered the temporary restraining order to be extended from April 4 to June 22.
But Lady Luther needs help now!
It is one thing to extend her life but another to find a solution where she can be lifted out of limbo and pick up her role again as a fabulous seaside hotel.
“As it stands today, the Luther Hotel is a very reparable building,” said Preservation architect Annie Sauser.
“Furthermore, its rehabilitation would be a real boon to the economy of this small community and would preserve a hugely important piece of its history,” she said.
This valuable property, a local historic treasure with a Texas State Historic Marker and on the National Register of Historic Places, was not put on the market and sold to the highest bidder for restoration.
It was quietly sold to a Corpus Christi nonprofit foundation to be demolished!
It was a secret deal that required the family to tear it down on behalf of the Ed Rachal Foundation.
The goal to destroy a local landmark that played important roles in the settlement of the Texas coast, the Second World War and in local economic development has alerted individuals and organizations around the country to step up and offer support.
This week the National Trust for Historic Places has promoted the Luther on all its social media channels to alert historic preservationists across the U.S. to the plight of the beloved hotel.
Palacios, a picturesque little coastal shrimping port, doesn’t have a historic landmark ordinance or a historic district to provide protection!
Preservation Texas sounded the alarm in November 2022, saying the Luther was the most endangered building in Texas!
Palacios locals formed the Palacios Preservation Association and took on the mission to save the Luther.
Once word got out there was interest from other buyers, preservation buyers, led by a Houston investor with ties to Palacios.
His mom and serviceman dad had met in Palacios during WWII and knew the Luther Hotel and its history well.
Nick Herman set the wheels turning by submitting a higher offer and asked the foundation to please work with him and his investment team, to save the hotel and restore it to its former glory.
There was no response!
The Palacios Preservation Association asked the foundation and estate to save the hotel and take this offer. But again, there was no response.
The Luther’s windows are all boarded up, the gate is locked with a strong chain, a demolition truck has been carrying off the assets of the hotel.
Furniture, beds and carpets have been hauled off, bedding has been donated to the poor in Corpus Christi, air conditioning units have been sold off for $10 apiece. Possessions of staff left when the city shut the doors, remaining historic artefacts and artworks have all been removed.
But Judge Ben Hardin put a stop to that and will not allow any more items to be removed.
This does not have to be the end of this story! And with your help it will not be.
Historic preservation tells a community’s story; it can be a source of local pride; and it can be the center for heritage tourism, especially in an attractive Texas coastal seaside town.
Three thousand individuals have signed the Save the Luther Petition, past guests, locals who love history, preservationists and those who see the educational and economic advantages of restoration.
An outstanding team of pro-bono lawyers are volunteering their help, led by Chris Bell of Houston.
The Palacios Preservation Association continues to spread the word and make this a landmark case about a landmark historic hotel. Please add your voice to save the Luther!
For information: Margaret Doughty 832 721 5915
Join Palacios Preservation Association: https://www.facebook.com/groups/846725133196148
Our Online Petition: https://chng.it/QGD7ySHqhF
GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/2700dcf0
The Palacios Preservation Association is grateful to all media outlets for covering our story and raising awareness about this issue.,
Some Recent Places That Have Featured Our Fight to Save the Luther Hotel: The Palacios Beacon – regular articles - The Texas Standard on Dec.13 - Texas Highways on Dec. 22 - Crossroads Today on Jan. 10, Feb. 16 - Bay and Beyond Broadcasting on Feb. 1 and updates - The Austin American on Feb. 3 - The Bay City Sentinel on Feb. 9, Feb 23, Mar. 9 - The Victoria Advocate on Feb. 2, Feb. 14, Feb. 16 - The San Antonio Express News on Feb. 2. Channel 25 News, Victoria, regular updates. Bay City Tribune Jan 24 and updates.