THE ALPHA HOTEL

At one time it seems that the two story Alpha Hotel was "the place" to stay when visiting or passing through Manor. A July 23rd, 1899 article in The Austin American Statesman said this;

“No surer index to the progress and the enterprise of any town can be found than is given by its hotels. In this respect, Manor is singularly fortunate and compares favorably with many large places. The leading hotel of Manor, the Alpha House, is convenient of access, being but a few rods south of the railway station. The hotel has become famous among traveling men as serving the best meals in the best style of any hotel along the line between Austin and Houston. For convenience of location, for courteous treatment and for good fare, the Alpha Hotel is without a rival.“ 

Newspaper ads such as this one from The Austin American Statesman of September 6, 1900 were common. 

Travelers on the Houston and Texas Central Railroad, making a stop at Manor, would find the Alpha Hotel conveniently located directly across the tracks from the railroad station. This Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from 1900 shows it's location. 

A story in The Austin Weekly Statesman on August 29, 1895 said this;

"Mr. Miller, father of Mrs. C. Bozeman, proprietress of the Alpha Hotel, was robbed last night of his gold watch, valued at $35 and $20 in cash. Joe Jackson, who had been working at the hotel, was arrested on suspicion, but was later released, no evidence being produced to connect him with the robbery."

In spite of this one story to the contrary, it appears that the Alpha Hotel went on to have quite a favorable reputation among the business men  traveling that way during it's heyday. I have to wonder if that  had anything to do with the fact that the Alpha appears to have be run by at least three different ladies over the years; Mrs. Clara Bozeman, Mrs. Leona Vaughan, and Miss Lula Miller.