In 1900 there was a population boom in Dublin and the surrounding area. There was also a boom in Purvis where housing was scarce. It was during this time that Mattie Stephen built a 22 room hotel. It housed travelers and permanent occupants. Mattie Stephen owned and operated it for many years. (History of Erath County p-15, Homer Stephen) The Stephen Hotel was one of the largest in this area. Community gatherings took place in the lobby. Mattie Case Stephen operated it until it burned in August, 1914. (Images of America, Erath County by Sherly Reed Rascher) The Dublin Progress reported that the two-story hotel was destroyed by fire between two and three o’clock on Saturday morning August 30, 1914. The estimated loss was $4000, including the house and effects on which insurance was but $1500. “Mrs. Stephens was away at the time on a visit of a week or ten days with her son at Galveston. She left her other three boys in charge of the property, only one of whom, Henry, twenty years of age, was at home when the fire occurred. The origin of the fire was not known. It caught, however, in the upper story of the building and young Mr. Stephens was awakened by the dense smoke entering his room.” (Dublin Progress, September 4, 1914) Rooming houses were prominent during that time. In Dublin we had the Wiley Cottage, and the Lancaster House later called the Harbin House.
On summer afternoons people would sit out on the large porches to pass the time. The Hotel Dublin also served as a hotel and rooming house for individuals.
People would come to Dublin during the harvest or to shop for a few days. Some people would stay in the wagon yards or if they had money they would stay in a hotel for the night.