Did You Know? Comfort's Ingenhuett-Faust Hotel Still Stands the Test of Time

The Ingenhuett-Faust Hotel in Comfort, Texas, holds Texas Historical Marker #2646. The original structure was erected in 1880 featuring limestone construction and decorative wooden details, with a second section added in 1894 following the railroad's arrival in 1887. Both sections were designed by prominent San Antonio architect Alfred Giles. The Ingenhuett family operated the hotel, later passing to the Faust family who ran it through the 1940s. The building fell into disrepair and suffered fire damage in 2006, with many believing it should be torn down. Boerne native Craig Leeder partnered with architect Don McDonald to undertake a multi-year restoration. "People thought it should be torn down. But that was never my intention. I wanted to bring it back," Leeder said. The community rallied — "half the town showed up to our first meeting." The restoration honored Alfred Giles' original 19th-century design while incorporating modern engineering and contemporary touches like a koi pond. The revitalized space, now called The Ingenhuett on High, hosts community events, weddings, and private functions.