Dizzy Dean, The King and other stories from 100 years at Fred Roberts Hotel

The Fred Roberts Hotel turned 100 year old this year, and Dublin’s town historian recently shared stories about how it came to be in the downtown area and the famous people who have stopped by throughout the years.

Scott Thompson was the guest speaker during the Downtown Development Authority’s Coffee Break held in the lobby of the Fred Roberts Hotel at 306 Academy Ave. 

From 1899 to the beginning of World War I, many people would travel to Dublin for two or three statewide conferences a year. That brought in 400 people, and all Dublin had at that time was one hotel.

“There was no way that many people, especially if they brought their wives of families, to stay,” Thompson said. “There was an urgent need for hotels.”

Something needed to be done and Dublin officials started planning a hotel in 1925. Thompson said construction began in 1926. The hotel was not officially open until February 2027.

“It was here in 1926,” he said. “It just took it a while to get all of the rooms ready.” 

In 1926, a committee was appointed, led by Fred Roberts, a local car dealer. His grandfather was a former judge and politician, David Roberts.

“Fred took charge of the (hotel) project,” Thompson said. “Just a few months later, Fred Roberts passed away.” 

Thompson said it was a first-class hotel when it opened. People remember waiters and bus boys to carry luggage. Then the Depression hit. Travel slowed down.

The St. Louis Cardinals made a trip to Dublin and spent the night at the Fred Roberts Hotel in late March of 1933 and in early April of 1935. 

“While they were here, they had fun,” Thompson said. “They went over to the school, which was located at what is now Dublin City Hall. Nine of those members of that team are in the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame.”

One member was Dizzy Dean, who would finish with a 150-83 record with an earned run average (ERA) of 3.02 and 1,163 strikeouts. 

In 1945, the first radio station began broadcasting in the Fred Roberts Hotel. In 1953, a young man from Tennessee was stranded here when his truck broke down.

“He didn’t have any money, yet,” Thompson said. “He saw Theatre Dublin and went over there to see if he could perform to raise some money to get his truck. That man’s name was Elvis Presley.” 

Eventually, Georgia Power came up with the idea to turn the hotel into senior housing. At the time, the recreation department was using it as a senior center.

“There were 30-something rooms here,” Thompson said. “There were banks and many stores. People could walk to many of the stores.”

The place was renovated in the 1990s. It became what it is now in the mid-2000s when the Nichols Co. came in and started a renovation project.

“This was turned into a show place,” Thompson said. 

The first floor of the Fred Roberts Hotel now houses J. Keyton Salon, Emerald Ease and others while Kight Law Offices are on the second floor and at least eight residences on the third and fourth floors.

“This is a great place,” said former Dublin Mayor Phil Best. “My wife and I lived here for almost 13 years.”  

Keyton, the director of business development for the Downtown Dublin Association, has his office located in the hotel.

“I love that we were able to preserve a part of history that was centrally located in downtown. I love the common-shared-mixed space that we use. I love that it is in the heart of downtown Dublin. It was a waste sitting here.” 

The access to Theatre Dublin and Main Street is also a plus, he said.

“It’s all about location, location, location,” Keyton said.