Texas Archival Resources Online

TABLE OF CONTENTS


Descriptive Summary

Biographical Note

Scope and Contents

Arrangement

Restrictions

Index Terms

Administrative Information

Description of Series

Series 1: Memorabilia

Series 2: Published Materials

Photographs

Houston Public Library, Houston Metropolitan Research Center

Clyde L. Dyer Shamrock Hotel Collection:

An Inventory of Records at the Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public Library



Descriptive Summary

CreatorDyer, Clyde L., 1898-1976
TitleClyde L. Dyer Shamrock Hotel Collection
Inclusive Date1940 to 1950
IdentificationMSS 1453
Extent3 lin. ft.: 1 flat box
LanguageMaterials are in English.
RepositoryHouston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public Library

Biographical Note

Clyde L. Dyer was born in Sunbury, Pennsylvania in 1898. As did many others during the early 20th century, he left school in 6th grade to provide an additonal income to his family. He held many jobs during his young adulthood. When he became an accountant, he worked for several years with Stone and Webster Engineering Corporation. For this job, he relocated to various cities throughout the United States and Canada.

Eventually he resided in Houston in 1946. He met and married his wife, Eleanor Lewis Dyer, the prior year while while they were both employed to work on the Manhattan Project in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. To the relief of the couple, Mr. Dyer's next assignment was to work as an accountant for the proposed Shamrock Hotel in Houston. This post is reported by his daughter to have been a much cherished position, and Mr. Dyer and his wife collected many items commemorating Mr. Glenn McCarthy and the Hotel. The Dyers took part in employee barbeques hosted by Mr. McCarthy (the family), chasing celebrities Andy Devine and Robert Stack through the hotel to get their autograph (Mrs. Dyer), and taking part in the studio audience of the airing of The Breakfast Club radio show from the Shamrock Hotel (Mrs. Dyer).

Daughter, Nancy (Dyer) Kinsey has noted that the family was saddened when they had to leave Houston and always spoke of returning to live there permanently.

Return to the Table of Contents


Scope and Contents

The Clyde L. Dyer Shamrock Hotel Collection is comprised of photographs, clippings, memorabilia and articles related to the early days of the Shamrock Hotel. Particular emphasis is focused on the construction and opening of the Hotel between the years of 1946 and 1949.

Return to the Table of Contents


 

Arrangement

The Clyde L. Dyer Shamrock Hotel Collection is arranged in three series by format:
  • Series 1: Memorabilia
  • Series 2: Published Materials
  • Series 3: Photographs

Return to the Table of Contents


Restrictions

Access Restrictions

None.

Use Restrictions

Permission to publish or reproduce materials from the Clyde L. Dyer Shamrock Hotel Collection must be obtained from the Houston Metropolitan Research Center.

Return to the Table of Contents


Index Terms

Subjects
Celebrations—Texas—Houston—20th century
Celebrities—1940-1950
Hotels—Texas—Houston
Subjects (Organizations)
Shamrock Hotel (Houston, Tex.)
Subjects (Persons)
Dyer, Clyde L., 1898-1976
McCarthy, Glenn Herbert, 1907-1988

Return to the Table of Contents


Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Clyde L. Dyer Shamrock Hotel Collection Collection. Collection Number MSS 1453. Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public Library.

Acquisition Information

Donated by: Nancy (Dyer) Kinsey, June 27, 2007.

Processing Information

Processed by: Tammy Jordan, July 6, 2007. Biographical Note contributed by Nancy (Dyer) Kinsey.

Return to the Table of Contents


Detailed Description

 

Series 1: Memorabilia

BoxFolder
11Christmas Greeting Card. from Glenn McCarthy (printed). December 25, 1948
2Program. Easter Sunday Concert Tea. April 17. No date
3Menu. Shamrock Room Dinner. March 23, 1949
4Introduction, Program and Menu. Formal Opening Banquet of the Shamrock Hotel. St. Patrick’s Day. March 17, 1949
5Hugh Herbert autograph. March 17.1949
5Flyer. Breakfast Club radio program. March 17, 1949
5Napkins from the Shamrock Hotel
5Brochure. The Shamrock, A Fabulous New Experience in Hospitality. No date

Return to the Table of Contents




 

Series 2: Published Materials

BoxFolder
16Newspaper clippings. No dates.
6Includes reference list of related newspaper articles.
7 Magazine article. Unknown author. (March 28, 1949). $21 million hotel opens. Life, 26 (13), p. 31.
Loose in box
Newspaper supplement. The Shamrock: A New Superlative. The Citizen. No date

Return to the Table of Contents




 

Photographs

BoxNumber
1MSS 1453.001Shamrock Hotel at night with windows lit. 1948
MSS 1453.002Construction of Shamrock Hotel. c. 1947
MSS 1453.003Site of Shamrock Hotel before it was built. 1946
MSS 1453.004-MSS 1453.010Construction of the Shamrock Hotel. 1947 to 1948
MSS 1453.011Portrait. C. L. Dyer, accountant. Shamrock Hotel

Return to the Table of Contents