Comfort, Texas

We found Comfort in Texas (as so many signs and t-shirts proclaim), but it seemed to be closed.  Originally, we had planned to take in Austin today.  However, the rains came and the cold north wind blew—not a very good day to walk around the capitol city of this great state.  We dug through the mound of brochures and Comfort caught our eye.

A fantastic stone walkway

Comfort was established in 1854 by “freethinking” German immigrants.  Many of these freethinkers had been active in the German Revolution of 1848 and, like so many others escaping religious persecution, came to America seeking freedom.  They placed a high value on moral integrity and believed in equal rights for others.  This philosophy led to their support of the Union and the abolition of slavery during the Civil War.  The “Treue der Union” Monument honors Germans killed in their attempt to join the Union Army.

Old Post Office built in 1908

Treue der Union Monument

Also as a result of this freethinking philosophy, it was some 40 years before a church was built in the community.  Finally, the Lutherans established a congregation and a building was completed in 1892.  The building has been shared by several denominations and is referred to as the Community Church.

Comfort State Bank, 1907

The historic downtown area consists of one block of restores buildings dating from the late 1800s and early 1900s.  It is a neat little community, but Wednesday is not the day to visit.  Almost all these old buildings housed antique businesses.  I suppose the antiquing business, like many others, has fallen on hard times in this economy.  I would guess a full third of the businesses had “for sale” signs out front.  Of those that were still open, most were closed on Wednesdays.  We had our mouths all set for German chocolate pie recommended in our tour book.  But it wasn’t to happen—at least not today.  Gene spied a bakery sign, but on closer inspection we learned it was only open on Saturdays.

Ingenhuett Faust Hotel, built in 1880

We walked around huddled against the wind and rain in our Gor-tex jackets until we were too cold for it to be fun any longer.

City Museum, built in 1891

Austin and the capitol complex are next on our agenda, but the rain (which is desperately needed) and cold temperatures (in the 40s this afternoon which is quite a drop from 80s and 90s) are in the forecast for the next 2 days.  It may be Saturday before we get there.  We’ll see.