Pictures by Roger Arrick 11/06


Beckham Hotel
115 E. Commerce St.
Mineola, TX  75773

Currently owned and operated by John Defoore who teaches music.
http://www.pineywoodspicknparlor.com/about.htm


The old Beckham hotel faces the railroad mainline and is currently undergoing 
restoration as a bed and breakfast inn. In its heyday the hotel was a genuine 
railroad hotel for use by passengers as well as employees of the railroad. 
Many of the rooms over look the tracks. The hotel was completed in 1927 
after a fire destroyed the original 1880s hotel. The upstairs ballroom 
was rocking with big bands during the 1920s and 30s. Like with most old 
buildings, the hotel has its stories of ghosts, bootlegging and late 
night poker games.

"My grandfather used to be the manager at the Beckham Hotel in Mineola. 
Back in the late 70's I used to play in the old hotel that has been 
around since the turn of the century. Late one evening in the abandoned 
ballroom I saw a lady in a long white dress dancing. I have also seen 
strange mist and lights on the abandoned third floor. Many people have 
died there I even seen one man die in the lobby. If you want to do 
an investigation...This IS the place!!" ~ Chris


The Beckham Hotel  is a genuine railroad hotel, built to house passengers as 
well as railroad employees laying over between runs. Located on Commerce 
Street in the downtown area, the hotel sits directly across the tracks 
from the Amtrak station. Several rooms overlook the tracks, and are 
favorites of guests who find Mineola's railroad heritage particularly 
appealing. The present brick structure was completed in 1927 after a 
fire razed the first (ca. 1880s) hotel. Big bands were said to have 
played in the upstairs ballroom during the 1920s and 1930s, and there 
are stories of bootlegging, ghosts and late night poker games 
interrupted only by the passing of trains. One upstairs room (with 
private bath) and two upstairs suites have been refurbished for public 
use and restoration is underway in other areas. The Beckham functions 
more as a hotel (offering a continental breakfast) compared to the 
traditional bed and breakfast inns where a full breakfast is provided.