The Eggeling family, who operated it for more than 50 years as the Comal Inn, originally built the Price Solms Inn in 1898. It is the oldest operational hotel in New Braunfels, and the oldest continuously operated hotel in Texas. The pulley used to swing baggage to the second floor is still in place. At one time it was used by local farmers to negotiate with buyers; the buyers on the first floor and the farmers occupying the upper floor. Doctors and dentists came to town and rented rooms to treat local patients.

The soft beige colored bricks were handmade on the banks of the nearby Guadalupe River and transferred to the site by horse-drawn wagons. The lumber used in construction was milled from giant cypress trees also on the banks of the Guadalupe River. The ten-foot high entry doors contain beautifully etched glass panels, and the bronze fittings were purchased in Europe. All of the suites and rooms are furnished with antiques and beautiful lighting fixtures carefully chosen to complement the decor. All rooms and suites have private baths. A stone patio and outdoor fireplace were built to resemble those of the Spanish Governor’s Palace in San Antonio. Wolfgang’s Pub occupies the basement with its three foot thick stone walls.

A Feed Store, built in 1860, now the owner’s private residence, and the stables, built in the 1840’s, which are used for the draft horses which pull carriages around New Braunfels on weekend evenings, as the Old Time Transportation Company, are also on the grounds. When the Feed Store was restored it was discovered that the foundation, walls and ceilings are cypress and square nails were used to secure the floor and other parts of the structure. The original freight doors open onto the loading dock on the West side of the building. During restoration the 11-foot ceilings allowed construction of lofts in each of the bedrooms. The floors were refinished to reveal seven inch wide tongue and groove honey gold pine. An 1860s vintage freight wagon sits nearby.

Behind the Inn the Joseph Klein House serves as a guest cottage. The Klein house moved to its present site to make way for the building of the Comal Inn one hundred and one years ago. In 1999 it was renovated and the original cypress interior restored by the present owners. A living room with queen sleeper sofa, a bedroom with queen size bed, a bathroom and kitchen make up the interior.

Both the Prince Solms Inn and the Joseph Klein House are registered Texas Heritage Landmarks. Contact: Allyson Huston 830-625-9169.