The northern end of the hotel, of frame construction, was built in the
late fifties by Captain William Perry, from New Hampshire.
Captain Perry was killed, through mistaken identity, by a Yankee soldier
as Captain Perry was standing on the corner near his home.
Captain Perry’s daughter, Lucy, is said to have been the first child
born in Jefferson, and was the first native Jeffersonian to be married
there. She was married to Captain Claiborne, and to them were born four
children, Perry, Howard, Fannie, and Lucylee. Captain and Mrs. Claiborne
spent all of their married life in Jefferson, and the home place is
still in excellent condition.
The Excelsior Hotel was originally known as the Irvine House and in 1871
was operated by Mr. A. Britton. Mrs. Kate Wood acquired it about 1877,
and at her death the property was left jointly to Mr. George Niedermeier
and her daughter, Mrs. Neeley. The present proprietors are Mr. and Mrs.
Walter Neidermeier.
The old record books show the signatures of many noted men, among who
were Jacob Astor, June 30, 1878; W. H. Vanderbilt in 1881; Gen. Grant,
Feb. 7, 1881.
Near the top of a crowded column of signatures is the name of Jay Gould.
At the bottom of the page, in the same handwriting, is the notation:
“The end of Jefferson, Texas.”
An old advertisement of the Irvine Hotel appears in the 1871 directory
and states: “Stages arrive at and depart from this hotel daily.”