Ben Milam Hotel - 1936 - Houston, Texas

Ben Milam Hotel on Texas Avenue.	Air Conditioning Comes to Houston Built in 1928, across from Union Station, the 10 story hotel named after Texas hero Ben Milam was the first hotel in Houston to be completely air conditioned in 1932. The York Ice Machinery Corporation installed a year-round system that controlled temperatures and humidity, and also cleaned the air. The cost was an astounding depression era $75,000.00. Houston, Texas is now thought to be the most air conditioned city in the world. The Ben Milam Hotel is currently vacant and rundown awaiting development.
Texas Avenue is 100 feet wide. It was designed to allow 14 longhorns to walk horn to horn during cattle drives towards the tracks at Union Station Opened in 2000, Minute Maid Field (dark red brick) is home of the Astros baseball team. The Stadium is air conditioned and has a retractable roof for baseball purist that think they have to sweat to enjoy a game.	Texas Avenue

Street Musicians	A lot of activity and entertainment on game day. These guys set up in front of the Southwestern Grill a great place to eat. It is located on the corner of Texas and Austin Streets. Enron Field - Houston, Texas Buy This Art Print At AllPosters.com
Post Cards from the Ben Milam Hotel Click on Cards for larger view

“Slept under sheet, woolen blanket + bed spread here last night, 6-26-37.The answer: Air conditioned rooms (signed) T”

	"Personal To: Mr. J. R. Case, President, J. R. Mfg. Co. Jonesboro, Ark."
The latest on the Ben Milam Hotel is that it will be torn down soon. How soon, I'm not sure. The building continues to deteriorate. Since these pictures were taken the "Ben Milam Hotel" sign is completely cover with gang graffiti. Texas Bob 12/06/2003 I have acquired copies of some great picture postcards from the Ben Milam Hotel in its heyday. Click on the images to see a full size view. Ben Milam Hotel update: I received an email from a restoration contactor that the Ben Milam Hotel is being restored! Texas Bob 6/20/2005