Jesse Driskill’s original hotel site

What to know

The Driskill Hotel, located at the corner of 6th Street and Brazos Street, is a Romanesque-style architectural masterpiece completed in 1886. It holds the distinction of being the oldest operating hotel in Austin, Texas. The grand vision was conceived by Colonel Jesse Lincoln Driskill, a wealthy cattle baron who purchased the site for $7,500 in the mid-1880s. Driskill hired local Austin architects J. N. Preston & Son to design what he proudly hoped would be "the finest hotel south of St. Louis," constructed with over six million pressed bricks and white limestone accents. The hotel celebrated its grand opening on December 20, 1886, heralded by the Daily Statesman as "one of the finest hotels in the whole country." Less than two weeks later, it hosted its first inaugural ball for Texas Governor Sul Ross. Despite this initial success, Colonel Driskill faced severe financial difficulties due to personnel losses, a major drought, and the volatile nature of the cattle industry where he made and lost his fortune. Consequently, Driskill was forced to sell the property in 1888. Over the decades, the hotel remained a vital social and political center for Texas society, hosting governors, presidents, emperors, and celebrities. Notably, the hotel served as the setting for the very first date between future President Lyndon Baines Johnson and Lady Bird, who met for breakfast in the Driskill Dining Room. The hotel's historic interior features unique spaces like the Maximilian Room, formerly the Men's Parlor and Smoking Room, which showcases eight famous Austrian gold leaf framed mirrors once belonging to Emperor Maximilian of Mexico and Empress Carlotta. The Driskill has provided unparalleled service for more than a century. It became a charter member of Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2013 and was designated as a Texas Treasure Business in 2023. Visitors today can still see remnants of its original 1886 structure, including the vault and door of the bank that once operated in the lobby.

Visitor tips

• Step inside the lobby to view the original 1886 bank vault and door.
• Visit the Maximilian Room to admire the historic gold leaf framed mirrors.
• Keep an eye out for the ghost of Colonel Driskill, rumored to haunt the lobby and upper floors.

Nearby context

Located at the bustling corner of 6th Street and Brazos Street in downtown Austin, the hotel sits at the heart of the city's historic entertainment district. Originally known as Pecan Street, this area has evolved from a 19th-century commercial hub into a vibrant modern thoroughfare, with The Driskill serving as its elegant anchor.