The Hotel Congress was built in 1919 to serve the growing cattle industry and the railroad passengers traveling on the Southern Pacific Line. In the 1920s, it was the perfect place for visitors from the east to stay a night or two.
The lobby was painted by traveling artist, Larry Boyce.
According to the hotel website, Boyce "arrived on bicycle in the spring of 1989 and offered to decorate the lobby in exchange for a place to park his bike".
This is the display case at the front desk, where you'll find candy, cigarettes, and local whiskey.
The decor is a mix of Art Deco and classic southwest, what Boyce called "Southwest Deco".
Here you can see the definite southwestern colors and designs, mixed with Art Deco-influenced wall sconces.
In this photo, I captured a leather-clad motorcycle rider checking into his room. I overheard him saying he's stayed here many times before. A short while later I saw him dining in the Cup Cafe.
View from the lobby bar.
Entrance to the Tap Room. The Tap Room has been in continuous operation since 1919. Far be it for a cowboy to go without a cold glass of suds.
The bar in the Tap Room, adjacent to the Club Congress stage.
The interior area of The Tap Room, as you enter from the hotel interior.
Here are a few more pictures of the hotel throughout the years.
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2017: Inside The Queen
2016: Glorious Tulips
2015: Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!
2014: ¡Bienvenido!
2013: We Couldn't Catch Him
2012: It’s Vital For My Existence
2011: Boxed In By Hills
2010: Ask A Trucker
2009: Getting Our Truck Tweaked While Making New Friends And Enjoying A Free Lunch Pie*
2008: Sunglasses Also Required Here
2007: Windows Vista, Trucker Style
2006: Being A Girl Again
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!
1 comment:
Wow, I could live there. Goes on the "do it soon" bucket list. Thank you for highlighting such a marvelous (and local, for you!) hotel. I love the old railroad hotels.
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