Exploring Alfred Giles' Legacy in Comfort and Beyond
If you’ve spent any time in Comfort, Texas, you’ve already experienced a little piece of Alfred Giles’ legacy—whether you realized it or not. Born in England in 1853, Giles brought his architectural talent across the Atlantic, ultimately coming to Texas in 1875 at the young age of 22. He set up shop in San Antonio, and over the next several decades, he shaped south Texas and northern Mexico with buildings that still stand as striking examples of late 19th and early 20th-century architecture.
One of his early masterpieces? The Ingenhuett-Faust Hotel, built right here in Comfort in 1880. Today, this historic gem is known as Hotel Giles—yes, our historic inn that we proudly renamed in honor of its famed architect. Originally built as a stagecoach stop, this hotel quickly became a hub for travelers. As the years passed and business grew, Paul Ingenhuett brought Giles back in 1894 to expand the hotel. Now restored and lovingly preserved, our Hotel Giles remains a living testament to Giles’ timeless style and craftsmanship.
Alfred Giles’ Touch on Comfort’s Historic District
Comfort, though small, boasts a historic district brimming with buildings that bear Alfred Giles’ signature style. Much of what makes this little Hill Country town so charming comes back to his work.
Beyond the hotel, Paul Ingenhuett commissioned Alfred Giles for more buildings. Just two doors down from our hotel sits the Ingenhuett-Karger Saloon at 725 High Street, built in 1891. Continuing down High Street you’ll find Ingenhuett on High, a gorgeous event venue that was built in 1881 as a general store. Clearly enamoured by Giles’ work, Ingenhuett later hired him to design his personal residence—the Paul Ingenhuett Home, completed in 1897 at 421 8th Street. The limestone for this home was quarried on family property.
Walking through Comfort feels like stepping into a living museum, where nearly every corner has a connection to Alfred Giles. The August Faltin Building at 402 7th Street is one of his works—originally built in 1879 as a general store. There’s the 1907 Comfort State Bank on the corner of 7th and High streets, which is now home to the Comfort Heritage Foundation. And let’s not forget the Old Comfort Post Office at 814 High Street, right next door to our hotel. Built in 1919, it served the community until 1952 and still stands as another example of Giles’ timeless design.
Beyond Comfort: Giles’ Influence Across Texas
Giles didn’t limit his work to Comfort. His architectural legacy stretches across south Texas, with buildings that tell stories of courthouses, grand mansions, and more.
Giles designed magnificent stone courthouses for 10 Texas counties. He was behind the 1909 facade added to the Kendall County Courthouse in nearby Boerne. In Fredericksburg, his Romanesque Revival design shines at the former Gillespie County Courthouse, now the Pioneer Memorial Library, which he designed in 1882.
Notable Texans also turned to Giles when building their homes. The Schreiner Mansion in Kerrville is a stunning example of his residential work, as are the homes he designed for the influential Maverick family in San Antonio—20 buildings in total, including a bank and a hotel.
A Legacy That Lives On
Alfred Giles may have passed away in 1920 on his Hillingdon Ranch, but his architectural masterpieces remain woven into the fabric of Texas. In all, he designed more than 90 buildings in the Lone Star State and Mexico. Whether you’re strolling the streets of Comfort, exploring nearby Boerne, or visiting Fredericksburg or San Antonio, Giles’ work is there, waiting to be admired.
Here at Hotel Giles, we’re proud to carry his name and offer a place where visitors can step back in time and experience his vision firsthand. And when you’re ready to explore Comfort and beyond, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to see how one architect left a lasting mark on Texas—one building at a time.
