Exploring Comfort's Rich History through Historical Markers
As you'll quickly discover during your next getaway to Comfort, Texas, our quaint town holds a treasure trove of history. Established in 1854 by German immigrants who were Freethinkers and abolitionists, the town was aptly named "Comfort" to reflect the settlers' desire for a tranquil and peaceful life. Our downtown area is possibly one of the most well-preserved historic business districts in Texas, with most of our buildings dating back to the 19th century. As you stroll through our charming streets, you'll encounter a series of historical markers that offer glimpses into Comfort's fascinating past. These markers serve as portals to bygone eras, revealing the stories of the settlers, places and events that have shaped Comfort into the beloved community it is today.
A program run by the Texas Historical Commission, official Texas historical markers tell the stories of some of the most significant and interesting buildings, communities, cemeteries, people, events and chapters of Texas history. There are more than two dozen historical markers scattered throughout Comfort, providing a unique window into the past for residents and visitors to explore. Start your journey with the historical marker located right here at Hotel Giles, which dates back to 1880 and was first run by the Ingenhuett family and then by Louis and Matilda Faust, thus our marker's designation as the Ingenhuett-Faust Hotel. We renamed it Hotel Giles after its architect, Alfred Giles, who designed several other original buildings in downtown Comfort that still stand today, including the August Faltin Building, Ingenhuett-Karger Saloon and Comfort Post Office.
The Ingenhuett name is one you'll see on numerous historical markers in Comfort. German immigrant Peter Joseph Ingenhuett came to Texas and settled on a farm near Comfort in the 1850s. He married Marie Karger, and together they moved into town in 1867. The Ingenhuetts opened various businesses along what is now High Street, including our hotel, the saloon and a livery stable. Peter Ingenhuett also served for nearly 25 years as Comfort's postmaster. Some of the markers that unveil the Ingenhuett-Karger family's story include the Karger Building, the Hermann and Antoine Ingenhuett Homestead, the Paul Ingenhuett Home and the Peter Joseph Ingenhuett Homestead.
Some of Comfort's historical markers share major events from our earliest days, like the one at the Treue Der Union. This German-language monument was erected in 1866 and honors the memory of 68 men who were loyal to the Union during the Civil War. Trying desperately to reach U.S. Federal troops by way of Mexico, about 40 of the men were killed by Confederates in 1862 in the Battle of the Nueces and at a later fight. The monument marks their final resting place and is inscribed with their names.
Other markers identify the places that played a significant role in community life, like the Arno Schwethelm Building, a leading Hill Country mercantile establishment, and the Comfort Community Theater, which opened in 1930 and provided the town with facilities for basketball, dances, civic meetings, stage plays and private parties.
Leave the downtown area to discover a few more of our historical markers, like the one at the Hygieostatic Bat Roost, built in 1918 to attract and house bats in an effort to eradicate mosquitoes and thereby reduce the spread of malaria, or the Tunnel of the Fredericksburg & Northern Railway, located at Old Tunnel State Park, built in 1913 when workers dug through hundreds of feet of limestone by hand.
The historical markers in and around Comfort provide a profound connection to the town's roots and the people who shaped its destiny. Each marker is a doorway to a different era, inviting you to step back in time and experience the challenges, triumphs and cultural richness that have defined Comfort. Start your journey to Comfort's past by booking your stay at Hotel Giles today.
