Historic Magnolia Hotel Begins Restoration of Original 1850 Balcony Ahead of America’s 250th Anniversary Celebration

The couple is hoping to complete the restoration by the Fourth of July in honor of America’s upcoming 250th anniversary celebration, making the project not only a restoration of Texas history, but also a tribute to the nation’s early frontier heritage.

The Magnolia Hotel began in 1839 as a two-room log cabin built by Texas Ranger and Seguin co-founder James Campbell. Over the following decades, the property expanded into a frontier inn, stagecoach stop, restaurant, saloon, and hotel that became known as the “Queen of Seguin.” The balcony was added during the hotel’s early expansion in the mid-1800s and remained part of the structure for nearly 80 years.

“This is not about adding something new,” said Erin Wallace Ghedi. “This is about restoring a historic architectural feature and making the hotel whole again. The balcony was part of the Magnolia’s identity for generations.”

Historic photographs clearly show the balcony stretching across the front of the second story, where guests once gathered to overlook the growing Texas town below. Its removal altered the appearance of the building for nearly a century, but now, after years of research and planning, Erin and Jim Ghedi are finally bringing the historic feature back to life.

The Magnolia Hotel has become internationally recognized through numerous television appearances and viral paranormal investigations, drawing visitors from around the world who come to experience both its history and its reported spiritual activity. The property has been featured on programs including Ghost Adventures, Ghost Brothers, Paranormal Caught on Camera, Ghost Files, and by creators Sam Golbach and Colby Brock.

But according to the couple, the balcony restoration represents something far deeper than tourism.

“Every layer of this building tells a story,” said Jim Ghedi. “This hotel survived the Republic of Texas era, Comanche raids, Yellow Fever epidemics, the Civil War, Reconstruction, and the rise of the railroad. Restoring the balcony is like giving a voice back to part of the building that has been silent for almost 100 years.”

Construction crews have already begun work on the project, which is being carefully designed to preserve the historic integrity of the structure while honoring the craftsmanship and appearance of the original 1850 balcony.

The restoration is expected to become one of the most visually significant preservation projects currently underway in downtown Seguin.