When Dennis Thomas found The Antlers in Kingsland three years ago, the old railroad hotel hardly resembled its glory days when excursion trains from Austin stopped at its front door twice a day to unload guests for what was then one of the finest resorts in Texas. Built in 1901, the two-story, L-shaped hotel was operated by the Austin & Northwestern Railroad for vacationers wanting to escape the city for the Hill Country and the banks of the Colorado River. The hotel and resort operated until 1923 when it was sold and used as a private home.
Through much of the last seven decades the old hotel was an eyesore a block north of FM1431. Dennis and his wife Barbara have restored and revived the building and the surrounding grounds to their former status as a centerpiece of the Hill Country.
Kingsland never has been much more than a wide spot in the road south of Llano, an hour drive from Austin. The economy thrives on marinas and vacation homes on Lake LBJ and retirees.
Dennis, a utility consultant, and Barbara, owner of Toad Hall Bookstore, had done several restoration projects in Austin before tackling The Antlers, but nothing compared to the magnitude of this project. The main building, a bunkhouse that was used by the train crews, and two other cabins had to be completely gutted to begin the project.
Fortunately, Dennis said, all of the structures were basically sound. The main building was resting on the original cypress log foundation, and the shoreline on the lake had to be rebuilt using granite blocks. The couple, along with their on-site managers, Anthony and Lori Mayfield, had a lot to work with and a lot of work to do.
The original long-leaf pine floors were hidden under worn linoleum and the outside walls of the old bunkhouse were protected by siding. “When something broke,” Dennis said, “the owners would usually store it in the basement instead of throwing it out.” The hotel’s check-in counter, a roll-top desk, and the train schedule blackboard were found in the basement along with a bucket of arrowheads found on the property and decades of other relics and junk.
“The hotel had gas lights and telephone service, but no indoor plumbing,” Dennis said. The original telephone booth is restored in the lobby under the staircase, the pot-belly stove with the railroad company’s initials on the door still warms the main dining room, and the cistern in the backyard still holds water. The new version of The Antlers, which officially opened last February, combines the authenticity of the turn of the century with modern comforts.
Each of the six rooms in the main house and four rooms in three cabins have been decorated with antiques from the Victorian era when the hotel was at its prime. Most of the antique furniture came from the area or from the eastern United States.
Each of the nine suites, which rent for $120 to $150 per night including a continental breakfast, are comfortable and luxurious with their own character that sets them apart. Each room has a unique corner sink, private entrance, and private bath. Dennis’ favorite room is the Victorian Suite with two large rooms decorated in period pieces and a view of the west lawn.
The hotel was built to take advantage of the breezes that keep the rooms cool with a door on either side of the room and plenty of windows. The wide front porch across the second story has rocking chairs and is higher than mosquitos fly, offering a comfortable view of the Hill Country sunset.
In the early 1900s, before it became Lake LBJ, the lake in back of the house was called Crescent Lake for its shape. The hotel still offers swimming, boating, and fishing from their piers or a walk along their private nature trails. The game room in the basement behind the kitchen has a pool table, exercise equipment, games, and a TV for those who can’t find enough to do during their stay.
The Antlers offers guests something more than the usual bed and breakfast and is completely different from a regular hotel. They can accommodate business retreats, family vacations, or romantic getaways. The suites are spacious and comfortable, some with kitchens or private, screened-in porches. For more information, call the innkeepers at 800/383-0007.
Coming up this weekend…
Spring Festival in Columbus features historic home tours, bike rides, arts & crafts show, music, food, and shows at the Stafford Opera House, May 17-18. 409/732-8385.
Celebration of the Arts in Wimberley celebrates the variety of artists in town, May 17 and every third Saturday through Dec. 512/847-5010.
Classic Car Show brings all kinds of vehicles to the square in Blanco, May 17. 888/TEXASFUN or http://www.lcra.org.
Tejano Conjunto Festival in San Antonio’s Rosedale Park and presented by the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center features the top Texas bands, May 14-18, 6pm-midnight. 210/271-3480.
Coming up…
Bluegrass Jamboree in Glen Rose at Oakdale Park features stages and jam sessions in an alcohol-free setting, May 22-25. 817/897-2321.
The little town of Catarina in Dimmit County has collected their history and favorite recipes in two booklets. For both, send $6 to Louise Schumann, PO Box 6, Catarina, TX 78836.
This article appears in May 16 • 1997 and May 16 • 1997 (Cover).
