History of Gulf Hills
In 1927, the Braniger Brothers Development Corporation, from Chicago, IL, developed Gulf Hills destined to be a resort like no other in its era. This was accomplished with a beautiful and challenging golf course, clubhouse, boating activities, and 13 upscale homes. These homes were built with no kitchens and no laundry facilities. Residents of this exclusive community took all meals at the clubhouse and their laundry was picked up and returned clean and folded by clubhouse employees.
Legend has it that the resort was developed especially for the seclusion and entertainment of Chicago crime figure, Al Capone. In the clubhouse was a fabulous lounge called “The Pink Pony.” Photos show movie stars, gangsters and members of the “upper crust” enjoying drinks, dancing and entertainment. Elvis Presley frequented The Pink Pony and loved to play the piano and just relax in this comfortable and secure atmosphere. During this time, the course was so popular that tee times were auctioned off to the highest bidder the night before. It was at this time that the Gulf Hills Civic Association was formed to promote the interests of the residents and property owners in the Gulf Hills community.
In 1962, Gulf Hills Dude Ranch, Inc. purchased the resort properties and created a new entertainment paradigm. The Dude Ranch became very popular for horseback riding, hay rides, square dancing, and swimming in addition to maintaining the Golf Club and hotel. At the same time, separate investment and development companies were established to start selling home sites on the sprawling acreage. Visitors and tourists to the Dude Ranch would quickly become interested in buying their own piece of this residential resort community.
As the Gulf Hills community approached its 65th anniversary, the Dude Ranch had moved back into a golf club and hotel complex, and the owners looked to sell to new investors. The Treasure Bay Casino first took up the property for a few years, then sold it to a Taiwanese company that looked to attract foreign tourists to the golfing resort. Within a few years, this company decided to sell the property. It was at this time that residents of Gulf Hills and players of the Golf Club banded together and purchased the course and hotel. In 1998, the Gulf Hills Hotel and Conference Center and Royal Gulf Hills Golf Club were formed as separate companies that lasted until 2019, when the golf club was sold to a local family.
As of the beginning of 2020, Gulf Hills moved into its next phase with aggressive home building, remodeling, excellent schools, amenities of a growing city, a thriving restaurant and lounge near the hotel, and owners of the resort properties that want to continue with the legacy of our unique beginnings. The Gulf Hills Hotel + Resort entered a new era in 2021 when the new owners, Rain Travel Collection, purchased the historic property. Since that time, renovations have taken place, and the historic hotel has become a sought-after venue for work and play.