growing up in two Texas small town hotels (original) (raw)

LOCAL PERSONALITIES
People with brains, panache, or character. Sometimes all three.

"ELOISE" IN TEXAS

by John Troesser

	Cliftine Van Gilder as Miss Aumont Photo Courtesy of Cliftine Dywer and Earle Seaman

Eloise was a (not-only-for-children) children's book from the 50s. The title character was a little girl that for some reason was growing up in a New York City hotel. We're certain it was more popular with girls/women, since most males of that period couldn't get into such a dull fantasy. Growing up on a Battleship - now you're talking! Anyway, here was a little girl who had maids, bellmen, and waiters attending to her every whim.

Now, we'll take you to

Seguin, Texas, a town that once was not so well known as New York City. The time is the 1930s. The little girl in our story is named Cliftine Van Gilder.

	The Texas Theater Today Now owned by the Seguin Conservation Society headed by Robin Dywer, Cliftine's son TE Photo

****"Miss Aumont" Goes to the Texas Theatre**

Mrs. Dwyer recalls being six years old at the time. She was to walk across the stage, followed by the 4 year-old grandson of the Hotel's bellman. He was decked out in a gleaming white uniform, carrying the luggage of Miss Aumont, who was checking into the Hotel. Cliftine was humiliated about having the little boy carry her luggage and was photographed just after hearing the script of her proposed entrance.

Today, Mrs. Dwyer still remembers who won first and second place in that contest. First place, she told us, was won by Mary Lee Roberts and second place was Betty Jean Jones. She also remembers that the first prize was a small diamond ring (and that Mary Lee lost it) and second prize was a small add-a-pearl bracelet, that Betty Jean still has. All three women still reside in Seguin. Pride in Seguin runs deep and only after several probing questions, did Mrs. Dwyer admit she was born elsewhere (San Antonio) where her father was a Chef.

	The Aumont Hotel c.1925 Photo Courtesy Earle Seaman

The Aumont

She too, is growing up in a Hotel and like Eloise, she is an only child. This hotel is the Aumont, named after Austin and Mountain Streets. Her parents are managing the Aumont, which is one of the two best Hotels in town. The other is the Park, which will later become the Plaza, and Cliftine will figure in that building's history as well.

Our photo of Cliftine was taken at the Aumont Hotel, just prior to her departure for a chamber of commerce function at the nearby Texas Theater. Contests with children were popular throughout the 1920s and 30s, and in this particular show, each business in Seguin was represented by a child dressed appropriately for the sponsoring business. Cliftine was (if you haven't already guessed) "Little Miss Aumont."

	The Park / Plaza Hotel c1935 Old postcard TE Archives

Growing up in The Plaza

She recalls the Aumont fondly, but she was a few years older when the Park became available and her parents bought it. It had briefly served as a Hospital (1929-1931) and went broke. It was renamed the Plaza when it opened again as a hotel. It was this hotel where she learned to work the switchboard and "drive" the elevator.

Nicknamed "The Pest" by the day desk clerk, she remembers what a philosopher he was and how he taught her to use the switchboard. The night desk clerk taught her how to drive the elevator, which "wasn't just pressing buttons in those days" she reminded us. Sometimes the only way to get her to bed was to give in and let her "drive herself home" to the fourth floor.

She also related how she enjoyed eating at friend's houses since bowls were democratically passed around the table, and there were NO MENUS.

She found these customs of house-dwellers quaint and amusing. If you're thinking she had a nature-less upbringing then think again. The courthouse lawn was right across the street and as she said in a previous interview: "�those were MY benches and MY pecan trees and My fountain." It was almost as much fun as growing up on a battleship.

Now read about the:

Hotel Wars in Seguin - Two hotels in one town, the rivalry of building them, and the little girl who loved them both. No, it's not a Shirley Temple movie script.
The Aumont Hotel - "Rooms with a Past" series.
The Plaza Hotel.- "Rooms with a Past" series. Our special thanks to Cliftine Dwyer for her telephone interview and for sharing her memories of "finishing out her growing up" in Seguin's rival hotels. Additional information came from an interview with Mrs.Dwyer written by Sue Ratliff.

October 2000
� John Troesser

See Seguin, Texas