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Throwback Thursday: St. Patrick's Day

By Russell Weil, Contributing writer | March 17, 2016

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The Shamrock Hilton's Emerald Room was the main ballroom, decorated in green as a tribute to McCarthy's Irish ancestry. (Photo: discovertexashistory.com)

One of Houston’s largest social events occurred on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 1949. Dubbed as "Houston’s Biggest Party" by the Houston Chronicle, The Shamrock Hotel held a lavish star-studded grand opening putting Houston in the spotlight. A 2015 Houston Chronicle article reported that over 50,000 Houstonians gathered outside just to get a glimpse at the over 175 performers who attended the party, including Lana Turner and Ginger Rogers. Popular actress and singer, Dorothy Lamour, broadcast her weekly radio show from the Shamrock during grand opening festivities.

What are your memories of the Shamrock Hotel? Maybe you attended a wedding or another milestone event at this beloved landmark. Share your memories in the comment section below or email [email protected].

Editor’s Note: Writer Russell Weil provides nostalgia posts as part of our Throwback Thursday series. Some of his past, popular nostalgia stories include Restaurant Memories: A look back at Houston’s dining past and Amusement Parks: Where Houston used to play. Share your Houston memories in the comment section below.