NEARLY A CENTURY OF TEXAN HOSPITALITY

Shortly after World War I, New Braunfels’ community leaders sought to include a world-class hotel among its attractions to out-of-town visitors. A local businessman by the name of Walter Faust Sr. spearheaded the project. The hotel opened on October 12, 1929, just two weeks before the stock market crash. Originally dubbed the Traveler’s Hotel, the hotel was considered one of the best hotels in Texas for the period, and soon became a central meeting place for business travelers and families alike.

When the Great Depression came, New Braunfels struggled through hard times with the rest of the country, but was particularly devastated by the boll weevil blight. This blight crippled the textile industry, on which much of the city’s economic welfare was dependent. Despite these hard times, The Traveler’s Hotel remained open, mainly due to the determination of Mr. Faust.

The Travelers Hotel was renamed after Mr. Faust in 1936. During World War II, the hotel survived by the reputation it had gained as the “honeymoon capital of Texas”. Soldiers stationed at nearby military bases used The Faust Hotel as a location for committing to their brides before being shipped off to fight in the war. Since the early days of Mr. Faust, The Faust Hotel has experienced numerous owners. In 1985, the Faust Hotel hosted a celebration to dedicate its recently acquired Texas Historic Landmark plaque as well as placement on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.