The Oaks Apartments: Once a Grand Hotel, Now a Living Landmark
Excelsior Springs, Mo. – Throughout history, Excelsior Springs has been defined by the healing powers of its mineral waters, luxury resorts, and the many boarding houses that once lined its streets. Among these, the Snapp Hotel holds a special place in memory, its legacy still whispered from the porch swings that remain along Broadway.
Known today as The Oaks Apartments, the Snapp Hotel once played a key role in the health-focused identity of the town. It featured porch swings, a grand ballroom, and even the only sun-ray spa equipment in the area. But before achieving that prestige, it endured fire, reinvention, and an eventual resurgence.
The First Snapp Hotel: A Fiery End
The original hotel stood across the street from its current location, near where the Royal Hotel still stands. According to an article by Sonya Morgan on theidlehour.com, the original structure was destroyed in a devastating fire on January 7, 1912.
At the time, the temperature was a bone-chilling 14 degrees below zero. The town was quiet, and the hotel guests were asleep. Around 2:20 a.m., flames erupted near the lobby fireplace. Night clerk Clyde Gustine was the first to notice the smoke.
“I tried the phones,” Gustine reportedly said, “but the fire had already reached the back counter.” Without a fire alarm system, Gustine became the only warning, rushing through the halls and shouting to awaken guests.
A Frantic Escape in the Cold
According to Morgan, survivors fled down ice-covered fire escapes wearing only their nightclothes. Notable evacuees included Alderman John P. Titsworth and his wife, and J.B. Cavanaugh of Chicago, who was impaired by rheumatism and had to be lowered by rope from a third-story window.
Tragedy also struck. Mrs. Winifred Anthony and her 13-year-old daughter Geraldine, visiting from Kansas City, escaped using a rope. During the descent, Mrs. Anthony slipped, falling 30 feet and clinging to electrical wires. Though doctors initially noted only slight bruising, she died days later from a brain blood clot.
Only the front wall of the original building remained. The guest registry was destroyed, though Gustine attempted to reconstruct it from memory. “All guests were believed to have escaped,” he recalled. But the building was gone.
Rebuilding the Vision
James W. Snapp, the hotel’s owner and a resident of Excelsior Springs since 1881, had a vision beyond the ashes. After opening the town’s first hardware store, Snapp transitioned to hospitality with the original hotel, and he wasn’t ready to give up. By spring 1912, he had drawn up plans for a new and improved Snapp Hotel across the street, where The Oaks Apartments now stand.
According to Missouri State Parks records, Snapp hired a superintendent with ties to Fuller Construction Company and brought on architect Frank J. Jackson, known for designing The Elms Hotel.
In May 1913, the new Snapp Hotel opened its doors.
A Grand Reopening
As Morgan described in The Idle Hour, residents and visitors were invited to tour the new hotel and attend an evening reception and ball. The event marked a rebirth of Snapp’s vision.
Constructed of red brick with steel and reinforced concrete, the five-story building featured terra cotta, cut stone trim, and a distinctive Spanish Revival style. According to promotional materials, it housed 150 rooms, many with private and connecting baths, and the only sun-ray bath equipment in Excelsior Springs. Elevators provided direct access to the bathhouse from guest rooms.
The hydro-therapeutic baths were marketed as effective treatments for ailments such as rheumatism, arthritis, stomach disorders, sciatica, obesity, and more. Above all, the hotel was promoted as “fireproof,” a feature that reassured a community still reeling from past tragedy.
The Ginger Snap and Farm-to-Table Dining
One of the hotel’s most beloved features was the “Ginger Snap,” a coffee house on the first floor designed to resemble a Spanish inn. With stucco walls, tile floors, and wrought iron décor, it quickly became a local favorite.
Dining at the hotel was another standout. Meals were made from ingredients sourced directly from Snapp’s personal farm just a mile from the property. Missouri State Parks noted the use of fresh milk, cream, eggs, poultry, and seasonal produce long before “farm-to-table” became a culinary trend.
Spa Amenities and Indoor Recreation
In the hotel’s basement, guests enjoyed access to a spa managed by Max Meloy, a graduate of the Chicago School of Massage and Therapeutic Gymnastics. The sun-ray bath equipment was housed here, with elevators providing easy access for guests seeking relaxation and healing.
Recreation included indoor golf in a sunroom that stretched the length of the building, ping-pong, bridge, and a beauty parlor in the lobby. Guests could also go horseback riding or fishing nearby, with all amenities designed to promote both leisure and wellness.
A Social Hub for the Region
Saturday nights at the Snapp Hotel became a hallmark of Excelsior Springs life. Visitors from Kansas City, Topeka, and Chicago flocked to the hotel for dancing and dining in the grand ballroom.
In the 1950s, the hotel changed hands and was renamed The Oaks by its new owner, Eppley Hotel Incorporated, under the management of Fred H. Hagel. Still functioning as a hotel, it even hosted the New York Giants professional football team while they trained in the fall of 1953, as noted by Morgan.
Fire Strikes Again, And a New Chapter Begins
In 1991, disaster struck once more. A fire gutted the dining room, and much of the original charm was lost. But this time, the story didn’t end in ruins.
Thanks to Missouri Historic Tax Credits, preservationists and architects revived the building, transforming it into what we know today as The Oaks Apartments. The structure was stabilized and reimagined as a living historical landmark that continues to serve the community.
A Tribute to Community Spirit
Today, The Oaks stands as one of the few remaining buildings from Excelsior Springs’ health resort era. Missouri State Parks has recognized it as “an excellent representative of its property type,” and its story continues to echo through the halls that once welcomed guests seeking healing and rest.
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I really loved the article about the , ” Snap Hotel ” now the OaKs Apartments “by Sonya Morgan. This historical landmark was a huge part of my life and that of my Grandma’s life.
My Grandma was a housekeeper there for decades. I lived on Marrietta Street and it was my view walking to and from school. I had many great meals in the dining room and stayed at the hotel for a time. Such charm. Thanks for this article.