Idlewilde Lodge
Comfort, Kendall County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Built in 1902 of Texas long leaf yellow pine with cypress siding and millwork, this structure was first used as a spa by Dr. C. H. Wilkinson of Galveston. In 1906 the property was sold to E. Hugo, who operated "Camp Reliance" here until 1912 when Robert Wilke acquired the land and adopted the name "Camp Good Times". The building was bought by the YWCA in 1918 and served as the main lodge for "Camp Idlewilde", a girls' summer camp, for more than 60 years. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1983
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Raised in 1902 from Texas longleaf pine and cypress, this Hill Country lodge began as a health spa run by a Galveston doctor before passing through a series of owners and camp names. In 1918 the YWCA acquired it as the main lodge of Camp Idlewilde, a girls' summer camp that welcomed young women for more than sixty years.
Why it matters
It preserves the story of early-twentieth-century summer camping and the YWCA's work carving out spaces for girls' independence and outdoor life in the American landscape.
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Related people
- · Dr. C. H. Wilkinson
- · Robert Wilke
Themes & tags
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