The Van Noy Railway News and Hotel Company, known today as HMSHost, was a business founded by the Van Noy Brothers of Kansas City, Missouri, which developed at the beginning of the twentieth century to provide services to travelers aboard passenger trains. At a time when most passenger trains carried neither dining cars nor lounge cars, private businessmen such as the Van Noys recognized a profit opportunity by operating eating houses at railroad junction points and selling snacks and novelties aboard the trains.
Meal ticket issued to employee of Missouri Pacific Railway, authorizing purchase of meals at special discounted "railroad rate" of thirty five cents, at all Van Noy dining rooms located along the Missouri Pacific and Iron Mountain Railways.
Van Noy hotel constructed in Newport, Arkansas in 1907. Note how hotel follows architectural style of adjacent depot which had been constructed five years earlier. Signs on corner of building say "Van Noy Dining Room", while sign over door says "Van Noy Lunch Room."
Fred Harvey Company
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The Fred Harvey Company was the owner of the Harvey House chain of restaurants, hotels and other hospitality industry businesses alongside railroads in the Western United States. It was founded in 1876 by Fred Harvey to cater to the growing number of train passengers.
The Casa del Desierto ("House of the Desert") located in Barstow, California, is seen here in 2006. The Spanish-Moroccan designed structure took two years to construct, and opened its doors on February 22, 1911. The building has been designated as a California Historical Landmark, #892.
The Hotel Castañeda, Las Vegas, New Mexico, as seen in 2007. An early mission revival style Harvey House (1899) and sister hotel to the Alvarado in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Harvey House Restaurant at the former Frisco Depot in Hugo, Oklahoma