HistoricSiteMarkers
Progressive & Modern Era

Comfort Post Office

Comfort, Kendall County, Texas

Marker Inscription

From 1856, when Comfort's postal station was established, until this building was constructed in 1910, the town's post office was housed in various mercantile stores. In 1910, while Hermann Ingenhuett was serving as postmaster, this building was completed. Designed by noted San Antonio architect Alfred Giles, the renaissance revival style structure exhibits Giles' talent for blending red brick and limestone. It remained in use as a post office until 1952. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1985

Erected by Texas Historical Commission

The Story

From 1856 until 1910, Comfort's mail was handled inside a succession of mercantile stores. In 1910, with Hermann Ingenhuett serving as postmaster, this dedicated post office was completed to a design by noted San Antonio architect Alfred Giles, whose Renaissance Revival building blended red brick and limestone. It served the town until 1952.

Why it matters

A purpose-built post office by a prominent regional architect marks the moment a growing town formalized its ties to the wider nation, and preserves the work of one of Texas's most influential nineteenth-century designers.

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Related people

  • · Hermann Ingenhuett
  • · Alfred Giles

Themes & tags

Nearby & related markers

Ingenhuett-Faust Hotel

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The oldest wing of this Comfort inn, trimmed with jig-cut brackets and a balustrade, went up in 1880, with an addition following in 1894—seven years after the railroad reached town. Both sections were designed by prominent San Antonio architect Alfred Giles. The Ingenhuett family ran the hotel into the 1900s before Louis and Matilda Faust took over from 1909 to 1946.

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