Driskill Hotel
historical marker
The Driskill Hotel, located in Austin, Travis County, Texas, is a significant historical landmark. Cattle baron Colonel Jesse Driskill built the hotel, which opened on December 20, 1886. Upon its opening, the Austin Daily Statesman newspaper proclaimed it "one of the finest hotels in the whole country." The Driskill has hosted many notable events. Governor Sul Ross held his inaugural ball here in 1887, beginning a tradition for Texas governors. In 1934, future President Lyndon B. Johnson met Lady Bird Johnson for their first date in the hotel's dining room. Later, in 1964, Lyndon B. Johnson awaited his presidential re-election results at the Driskill. During his presidency, the hotel also served as headquarters for the White House Press Corps. The Driskill is a Romanesque-style building. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on November 25, 1969. A historical marker was erected here in 1966 by the Texas Historical Commission. The Driskill Hotel remains an important part of Austin's history.