A History of the Driskill Hotel

The Driskill Hotel is more than just a place where a lot of people have stayed and dined during the last 132 years. Any luxury hotel represents a place of entertainment, escape and gala events, but the Driskill has served as the Capitol of Texas away from the Capitol, has welcomed hundreds of celebrities from Edwin Booth to John Wayne (including at least seven president) and has witnessed murders, suicides, gunfights, governors’ balls, fires, parties and outlandish pranks. LBJ took Lady Bird there for their first date, proposed marriage to her there and made it his headquarters on election night 1964. It is filled with stunning antiques and, if many people are to be believed, more than a dozen ghosts.

The brainchild of cattleman Jesse Driskill, it opened on December 20, 1886. Two weeks later, it hosted the inaugural ball for newly elected Governor Sul Ross. The city, the newspapers, the public and Driskill were certain of nothing but success and glory. It didn’t happen, at least not immediately.

Author Monte Akers has written a fascinating history of the Driskill Hotel, the “grande dame” of Austin. He will share some of the stories told in the book, and copies will be available for sale. Published by Waterloo Press, proceeds from sales of the book support the Austin History Center Association and the Austin History Center.

Spaghetti with Meatballs
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Lemon Cake