Saturday, September 28, 2024
The Nutt House Hotel, an iconic piece of Granbury’s history at 119 E. Bridge St., is experiencing a dramatic transformation thanks to new owners and longtime area residents Trisha and Ike Thomas.
After a devastating fire threatened its future, the Thomases and a group of investors took on the challenge of restoring the beloved building. For them, the project is more than just a business endeavor — it’s a heartfelt commitment to preserving the town’s legacy.
After extensive research into the property’s history and the Nutt family, Trisha Thomas firmly denies the persistent rumors that the Nutt House Hotel had once been a brothel.
The Nutt brothers were devout Christians who played a significant role in establishing a Baptist church in Granbury. The hotel originally began as a mercantile business before transitioning into a hotel in 1916. She noted that in the early years, the brothers even housed vendors in their home.
Ike Thomas shared a bit of the building’s history: “They originally had a wooden structure on the site, which they moved to the courthouse square to keep the mercantile business running while the stone building was being constructed.”
The Thomases’ connection to the Nutt House Hotel goes back decades. Trisha Thomas fondly recalled her first visit: “The first time I met Ike’s parents, we went to the Nutt House after church. And I remember thinking, ‘We’re going to the Nutt House to eat?’ It was quite a surprise that this beautiful dining room had comfort food and kind of a buffet style.”
Mary Lou Watkins owned the hotel at the time and Trisha Thomas' ties to it strengthened after she married Ike Thomas in the mid-1970s and began working as a bookkeeper for Watkins, whose cousin was Joe Nutt, an investor. Trisha Thomas was responsible for gathering information and processing checks for Watkins' employees.
“Mary Lou Watkins is Mary Lou Nutt Watkins,” Ike Thomas clarified.
The Thomases were deeply affected by the fire that ravaged the hotel in winter 2020. Just days before, Ike Thomas toured the building with the previous owner and longtime friend, Cindy Thrash Noble. “Ike’s office is on the square, and we are friends with Cindy. The fire was heartbreaking,” Trisha Thomas recalled.
Noble, a descendant of Granbury’s first mayor Patrick H. Thrash, had been living in Abilene while attempting to restore the hotel. She was very close to completing the project when the fire occurred.
The suspected cause of the fire was spontaneous combustion of painters’ rags, although this was never officially confirmed.
The Hood County News reported Jan. 13, 2021, that the cause of the fire remained “undetermined.” Fire Marshal Kevin Jones explained, “The report indicated that the debris tested negative for ignitable liquids. Based on the lab findings and the absence of other evidence, the cause of the fire has been ruled as undetermined.”
Following the blaze, Noble felt unable to restart the restoration process, and the Thomases encouraged her to seek investors. Eventually, the couple decided, “If somebody’s going to step up, it should be us.”
Rallying a group of around 10 investors, including general contractor Richard Moore, they began the restoration. “Richard has been instrumental,” Trisha Thomas said. “He’s found several historical features during cleanup and has worked closely with the city.”
The restoration has faced challenges, but the Thomases remain passionate about the project. As they reflected on the nine months since they purchased the property, they describe the experience as akin to a birth due to the time and effort they have invested.
Key features of the Nutt House Hotel are being preserved, including some of the original wooden floors, many of which bear burn marks and pits, which the Thomases believe mixing old and new will add character.
Decorator Ro Rynd, owner of RM Rynd Interiors in Fort Worth, said, “It was very important to me to celebrate the hotel’s compelling history and highlight the beauty of the architectural elements with an elevated aesthetic. Each room imbues the warm spirit of Texas with refined modern and luxurious design elements.”
Plans for the first floor include a restaurant called Christina’s, owned by chef Gary Folger, who has been deeply involved in designing the kitchen. The hotel will also feature artwork downstairs, showcasing Texas artists, including local talents like Mike Tabor and James Spurlock. This artwork will be displayed in Christina’s, with some pieces available for purchase.
The restoration has also uncovered some serendipitous historical finds, including remnants of a tunnel believed to have connected the Nutt brothers’ home to the hotel. “It would’ve been an incredible discovery,” Ike said, though they were unable to preserve it due to a collapse. Other features, like an old cistern found by Moore, will be showcased in the hotel.
“Richard was able to restore 14 huge cypress columns that we found out were moved here from East Texas on an ox cart in 1892, and they all survived the fire, which they are my favorite feature in the whole building,” Trisha Thomas said, adding, “It’s just beautiful.”
With a soft opening planned for the end of October and a full opening Nov. 1, the Thomases are eager to share their labor of love with the community. They envision the Nutt House Hotel becoming a popular venue for weddings and gatherings, aiming to continue the hospitality that the Nutt family provided for many years. Plans for the grand opening include a street dance and hotel tours to celebrate the hotel's rebirth.
For the Thomases, restoring the Nutt House Hotel is a way to give back to their community while preserving a piece of its history. “We didn’t plan to operate a hotel or restaurant, but sometimes life takes you in unexpected directions,” Ike Thomas reflected.
With a deep respect for the past and a vision for the future, the couple is determined to see the Nutt House Hotel become a cherished landmark for generations to come. As Trisha noted with a sense of nostalgia, “Granbury is where Texas history lives.”
