Learn the secret history of one of Texas' most haunted spots while sipping on the Emily Morgan Hotel's Yellow Rose martini.
Given the multitude of spirits allegedly haunting the Emily Morgan Hotel, it’s surprising that Emily herself has never dropped in to check on the property that bears her name. But no return is necessary to secure her place in Lone Star State history.
Born in Connecticut a free woman of color, Emily West moved to Texas to serve as an indentured servant to James Morgan and took his last name, which was customary at the time. She was working as a maid in a Houston hotel when she was among residents and other employees kidnapped by Mexican General Santa Anna, still basking in his victory over Texas troops a few months earlier at the Alamo.
On April 21, 1836, Sam Houston’s Texas army was ready for payback. They defeated Santa Anna’s forces in just 18 minutes. Why so quick? And why was Santa Anna so unprepared for the attack that he hadn’t even posted any guards? The story goes that Emily was in the general’s tent, distracting him (take that how you wish) for so long that the order could not be given in time to fend off the oncoming wave of soldiers.
Once that story became known, Emily Morgan was dubbed the “Yellow Rose of Texas.”
“We believe in the story of Emily and her heroism in the assistance at the Battle of San Jacinto, however there are many historians who would debate whether she was that impactful at all,” says Emily Morgan Hotel general manager Kole Siefken. “It may be a tale that is not accurate depending on who you ask. But we believe it to be true.”
RECIPE
Toast The Ghosts: The Yellow Rose Martini
In honor of Emily Morgan (aka Emily D. West) — namesake of San Antonio landmark hotel, Lone Star State folk heroine of the Texas Revolution, and the inspiration behind the song “The Yellow Rose of Texas” — we toast “the sweetest little rosebud that Texas ever knew” with this hauntingly good martini from the Oro Bar at the Emily Morgan Hotel.
Ingredients
1 ounce Citrus Smirnoff
1 ounce Raspberry Smirnoff
1 ounce Limoncello
1 ounce Triple Sec
2 ounces lime juice
Shake and strain ingredients into a martini glass. Add a splash of Razzmatazz liqueur.
Check out our Haunted Hotels of Texas feature here.
Images courtesy of the Emily Morgan hotel.
