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How it Began The Nutt brothers were a well-known family in Granbury. Despite 2 of them being blind from childhood, they embarked on their entrepreneurial journey. David Lee was the eyes for Jacob and Jesse Lee Nutt and played a pivotal role in the family’s legacy. They started their business in 1874 under a simple tent and later moved to a log house before upgrading to a beautifully built limestone building that houses the hotel today. The transformation into a hotel began almost by chance with the youngest brother, David Lee Nutt, and his wife Sudie, offering their personal residence, a few blocks away, to host businessmen visiting Granbury. In 1910 it gained fame as the “Nutt House Hotel,” eventually moving to the second floor of the limestone mercantile building in 1916 where it currently resides today. Happenings of the hotel Since 1916, the Nutt House Hotel has stood as a beacon of luxury and history on the bustling Granbury Square. Initially operating from the second floor above the Nutt Brothers Mercantile, the hotel boasted ten well-appointed suites complemented by two communal bathrooms, considered opulent and spa-like for their time. The establishment was a testament to early 20th-century elegance, featuring a guest sitting room and a grand staircase, constructed from native East Texas Wood and local Texas limestone, that lent a warm, inviting ambiance to the structure. Mary Lou Watkins Mary Lou Watkins, David Lee Nutt’s Granddaughter and a pivotal figure in the hotel’s history, began managing the Nutt House in 1967. Renowned for her dedication and the iconic bell she rang at lunchtime, Mary Lou became a symbol of the hotel’s heart and soul and is remembered and honored by a statue outside the hotel. Under her stewardship, the Nutt House Hotel not only maintained its historical integrity during a time when many historic buildings were being modernized, but also flourished. Her efforts ensured that Granbury Square retained its historic charm, famously saying, “We were blessed in our poverty,” referring to the financial constraints that inadvertently preserved the square’s original beauty. Throughout her tenure until 1983, Mary Lou was instrumental in both restoring the Nutt House and achieving historical recognition for Granbury Square, making it the first Texas square listed on the national registry of historic places as a “Texas Original Main Street City.” Her legacy continued to influence the hotel and the square, leaving an indelible mark on the community and its preservation. The hotel itself, built in 1893 and serving as a hotel from 1916 until its temporary closure in 2020 for renovations, represents more than just a building; it is a pillar of Granbury’s historical and cultural narrative, lovingly maintained through the years thanks to visionaries like Mary Lou Watkins. The Fire In March 2023, while undergoing renovations, the Nutt House Hotel faced a significant challenge when a fire broke out, causing substantial damage to parts of the historic structure. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported, and the swift response from local fire services prevented the fire from consuming the entire building. The community rallied around the support of ensuring that the Nutt House Hotel would not only recover but continue to serve as a beloved landmark in Granbury for years to come. The Rebirth In December 2023, the Nutt House group took stewardship of the historic Nutt House Hotel, with a deep commitment to preserving the essence of this iconic building. Recognizing the importance of maintaining the architectural and historical integrity of the Nutt House Hotel, the new owners are almost finished renovating and restoring the hotel to represent its original traditional charm. The second floor will boast an eight-room luxury boutique hotel embodying traditional charm and warm southern hospitality that would make Mary Lou Watkins proud. The ground floor will host Christina’s Restaurant, an upscale local Granbury favorite. This meticulous renovation seeks to ensure that the Nutt House Hotel remains a vibrant, cherished landmark of the historic Granbury Square, offering a fresh and inviting experience to both locals and visitors alike.