You're Fading fast "San Juan Hotel"
- jessetorres358
- May 11
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 28
As a member of the PSJA family, I am proud to see San Juan growing just like the city of Alamo.
As a child, I wasn't very familiar with the history of any city. However, as I got older, I began to hear stories about one of the historical landmarks in San Juan: the San Juan Hotel.
Constructed in 1920, the hotel was intended to accommodate Anglo businessmen and political figures relocating to the predominantly Mexican American region. In 1928, it was renovated with a Mission Revival style façade. The San Juan Hotel was initially constructed to serve as a hotel, but along its journey, it transformed into something more beautiful than anyone could have anticipated.
The San Hotel was merely a regular establishment until a highly esteemed individual decided to retire there. This man had gained the highest respect of everyone in Pharr, Texas. His name was Tom Mayfield, a Texas Marshall. He was born on June 16, 1880, and passed away on November 24, 1966, at the age of 86 years old. Tom is buried in Edinburg Texas in hill crest memorial Park.
Tom Mayfield's history includes leaving his parents' farm in Gonzales County, where John and Maggie Mayfield resided, in 1898 to assist in purchasing horses for Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders. From 1910 to 1921, Tom held positions as Pharr City Marshal, a Texas Ranger, and a deputy sheriff in Hidalgo County.
Tom became a local celebrity due to his role in uncovering a German Mexican World War I plot in nearby San Diego and his incredible escape from a Mexican firing squad in 1921.Tom earned the utmost respect from the community during his tenure as Pharr-San Juan-Alamo's deputy constable from 1938 to 1963. He spent his final years living at the San Juan Hotel where he passed away.
The San Juan hotel would not have become a historical landmark without the efforts of a man named Tom Mayfield. I read in an article that the mayor of San Juan was open for suggestions because his thinking of destroying it. Well Recognizing that Tom was honored with historical significance, I propose that the mayor consider transforming it into a museum, incorporating all of San Juan's history. This would be an excellent way to preserve a legendary site and attract tourists to the city of San Juan.
Indeed, it would require funding, but the community can organize events to raise money until the project is completed. Preserving this type of history is essential for future generations. If this story comes to the attention of the Mayor of San Juan, I hope you will seriously consider transforming this Hotel into a place that everyone can enjoy in the future.
You already have it in San Juan; use it as an attraction to put San Juan on the map.
Get all of San Juan past history into it.
I captured these photos some time ago, knowing I would eventually create a story from them, so I'm glad I held onto them.
I'm really curious about which room Tom stayed in. He lived in the Hotel until 1958.
I've gone through many articles, each presenting a unique story. However, what city doesn't have its own history?
It is rumored that Tom went crazy, overwhelmed by the memories of those he had killed shortly before his death.
That can occur; I took care of a man who had served in World War I, and when he developed Alzheimer's, he felt as though he was back in the war. As a result, he would grab knives and wanted to stab people. That rumor might be accurate.
However, let's wait to see the outcome for The San Juan Hotel. Even if it is demolished, its history will remain intact due to the numerous articles out there. Demolishing it would be a great loss for the city of San Juan. So hopefully they make a great choice.
Many individuals leave behind a significant legacy, while others do not leave any legacy at all. Those who make a difference are the ones whose memories we, as a community, should preserve. May you be at peace "Tom Mayfield" and thank you for leaving a great legacy behind.
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