Muskogee Hotel

Hotel Muskogee also known as Muskogee Hotel has been unmissable in every stage of its lifetime. Back during its construction in 1921-22 it was a job site that employed many different Muskogee companies and citizens. A large steel framework building right on the street corner, every passerby could only help but marvel at the soon-to-be state-of-the-art hotel.

Upon its grand opening in April 1923 the half-million dollar, four-story hotel was the spectacle of the town. It was the finest “Made in Muskogee” institution of its time. The town celebrated with an inspection of the hotel, all of the one hundred rooms, punch and a dance with an orchestra. Manager W.K. Donoghue was there taking reservations for the first guests.

Following the Great Depression in the 1930s, the hotel business in Muskogee was on the incline for stays in 1935. For nine months straight there had been an uptick in reservations and when the fair rolled around in October those stats increased even more. This was a sign that better times were ahead.

The Hotel was leased to Roy Dawson for ten years in 1950. Dawson had been a traveling manager of a few hotels at that point and said he felt “right at home” in Muskogee. Him and his wife would take up living in the hotel as they managed it.

Outside of the Muskogee Hotel is an iconic blue sign stating its name, fireproof and the coffee shop. The Coffee Shop was a great retail space within the hotel that was always inviting to guests and passersby. But some stories in the 1950s that involved the Muskogee Hotel told a frightening tale in the town newspaper.

Muskogee Daily Phoenix and Times-Democrat July 15, 1954 – City police Wednesday were still working on the burglary of Dorothy’s Cafe, which occurred possibly during the night Sunday.

Alex Holeby of the Muskogee Hotel Cafe, who reported the break-in to officers, said the cafe had been closed for sometime. Entry was made to the building by removing a window screen from a rear window and breaking the glass from the window. Loss in the burglary was reported by Holeby as a carton of chewing gum and a quantity of soft drinks.

Muskogee Daily Phoenix and Times-Democrat Feb 17, 1956 – Glen Raymond “Buster” Woodall oft-decorated World War II veteran, was shot in the neck Thursday night inside the Muskogee Hotel Coffee Shop. Variant stories are told by his 19-year-old bride and confessed assailant Will “Peanut” McElmurry owner-operator of the cafe.

Woodall, brother of Muskogee Police Sergeant Floyd Woodall, was reported in “satisfactory” and “serious” condition at the Veteran Administration Hospital. The .38 caliber pistol bullet entered Woodall’s neck, nicking the upper windpipe and spinal column as it left his body below the right shoulder blade.

Assistant County Attorney Bill Jones released McElmurry after questioning to resume operation of the Muskogee Hotel Coffee Shop where the shooting occurred. Jones said charges are pending Woodall’s recovery and further investigation.

The .410 shotgun carried by Woodall as he entered the cafe where his wife of six months worked was found unloaded, He had been drinking. “Im going to go get my gun and kill you S.O.B.” Detectives Fred Ryser and Andy Reeves quoted McElmurry.

The cafe operator said Woodall had been in the cafe earlier and made his threat as he was evicted for creating a disturbance and cussing. McElmurry said he was concerned by the threat and went to his Muskogee Hotel room to get his bone-handled pistol.

The gun was placed on a shelf behind the counter. Soon afterward, about 5 pm, Woodall returned carrying a shotgun. “He said Woodall leveled down on him, Reeves reported. “He was after me,” claims Mrs. Woodall. “We had an argument… He said he was going to get a gun and when he came in, I left,” she said. The red-haired girl said Woodall was carrying the gun at his side, pointing it in McElmurry’s general direction as he entered.

“I went to the kitchen,” she said, adding that she returned after one shot was fired. Woodall was bleeding at the throat, mouth and back. Several persons had to hold him as he struggled to regain his feet. Royal ambulance took him to emergency treatment. He again struggled and Detectives Ryser and Reeves were called from the hallway to help hold him to an emergency table.

“I’ll kill him,” he coughed through blood as Director of Nursing Edna Rockefeller calmed him. Mrs. Woodall said he had called her twice, asking for money. The third time, she told him she couldn’t get anymore. He became angry she said…..

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Around this time the hotel had become mostly a long term residential stay building. It continued with this function but the property went downhill over the next few decades due to deferred maintenance. At some point a skate park even moved into the building, remnants of it still remain.

In 1992 the building was ordered to close due to unsafe conditions and disrepair but it wasn’t officially closed down until 1996. Since then the building has greatly deteriorated with community members rallying to have it saved.

In 2019 the building was placed on the Oklahoma Register of Historic Places to signify its historical significance. But still it has not been saved, leading the city to put the building on its demolition list unless a prospective buyer can present viable plans to save the building.

Gallery Below of Muskogee Hotel

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