History of the Allmar Inn of San Antonio, Texas explored.

The Allmar Inn is one of the lesser known hotels and inns of San Antonio, Texas that has been forgotten with time. This news article will explain and explore the history of Allmar Inn.


Allmar Inn was originally established as the infamous tavern called The Horn Palace in 1915 on what was then known as S. Loop Rd. (South Loop Road) and is now Old Corpus Christi Road near Hot Wells. (Ref: https://books.google.com/books?id=Rjfwv0tH3DwC&pg=PA114&lpg=PA114)

Both the The Horn Palace and Allmar Inn developed a rowdy, and yet questionable reputation as it moved around San Antonio much throughout early 1900s. The Horn Palace was a roadhouse of ill repute, mainly because of the reputation of its owner. There was a whiff of brimstone around William “Billy” Keilman (sometimes spelled “Keilmann”), who seemed irresistibly drawn to seamy-ness and violence. (Ref: https://www.expressnews.com/life/life_columnists/paula_allen/article/Horn-Palace-Inn-developed-a-rowdy-questionable-15618652.php)

William Keilman owned and operated The Horn Palace Inn on the South Loop Road. Tragedy struck on April 5, 1921 when he was shot in there 5 times and had nearly died. As a result he leased the tavern out after that. (Ref: San Antonio Light, April 22, 1921)

On the date of Friday, June 23, 1922, San Antonio Evening News made a public announcement that The Horn Palace had changed their name to Allmar Inn. “To The Public: The Horn Palace on S. Loop has changed to the Allmar Inn.” (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/39272449/)

 

Allmar Inn was known for its famous slogan, “ALLMAR INN Dine, dance and keep cool.”,  which was constantly advertised in the San Antonio Evening News mainly during and throughout the 1920s. Mainly 1922. (Ref: https://newspaperarchive.com/san-antonio-evening-news-jul-20-1922-p-1/)

                        ALLMAR INN
                    Dine, dance and keep cool.


On the evening night of Wednesday, September 6, 1922, The Gondola "Biz Six" Orchestra performed the songs “Little Grey Sweetheart of Mine”, “Sweet Indiana Home”, “Virginia Blues”, “Stars”, and “Tell Her at Twilight”, accompanied by a saxophone solo played by Bill Connor. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/39275155/)

The Allmar Inn shut down in 1945 after World War II ended.

Allmar Inn was located at 7827 Old Corpus Christi Road, San Antonio, Texas, US 78223.