In the heart of Austin, Texas, where modern-day music festivals pulse with life and the city’s tech-driven future is being built, stands a grand relic of the Lone Star State’s past—The Driskill Hotel. Stepping inside its opulent Victorian doors is like taking a step back in time. With gleaming marble floors, ornate ironwork, and flickering chandeliers, the Driskill isn’t just a luxury hotel—it’s a living museum of Texas history. But don’t let the elegance lull you into a false sense of comfort; this historic hotel hides more than just grand décor. For generations, visitors and staff alike have claimed ghostly encounters within its storied halls. Whether you’re a history buff, a paranormal aficionado, or a traveler in search of a legendary stay, The Driskill Hotel offers a blend of lore, luxury, and lingering spirits you won’t soon forget.
The History
Origins of Grandeur: Built by a Cattle Baron
The Driskill Hotel opened its stately doors in 1886, the dream of Colonel Jesse Driskill, a wealthy cattle baron who spared no expense on his vision of a grand hotel that would rival the finest establishments in New York or Europe. Situated in downtown Austin, the Driskill quickly became a social and political hub, hosting legislators, governors, and visiting dignitaries. Colonel Driskill proudly called it “a hotel of the first class,” and it featured gas lighting, steam heating, and a stunning glass-domed skylight in the lobby—an architectural marvel of its time.
The building itself was designed in a Romanesque Revival style, boasting limestone sourced from local quarries. Colonel Driskill invested over $400,000—a vast fortune in the 1880s—into the construction, ensuring every detail reflected opulence and status. However, grandeur often walks hand-in-hand with tragedy in such tales.
A Rapid Rise and a Financial Fall
Tragically, Colonel Driskill lost the hotel just a year after it opened. A crippling drought devastated his cattle empire, and without the livestock income, Driskill was forced to sell the property. Despite his short lived ownership, his name remains forever etched into Austin’s skyline—his legacy larger in death perhaps than in life.
Over the decades, The Driskill Hotel weathered financial instability, multiple ownership changes, and even threats of demolition. Thankfully, preservation efforts—spearheaded by local historians and business leaders—ensured the building’s survival. Today, it stands not just as a luxurious hotel, but as a testament to Austin’s resilience and rich heritage.
The Political Heart of Texas
Politicians and power players have always gravitated to The Driskill Hotel. It was here, in 1960, that future President Lyndon B. Johnson waited anxiously for news of the Democratic nomination, using a suite at the hotel as his campaign headquarters. He even took Lady Bird on their first date here in the hotel’s café—a little known romantic detail that adds to the allure of the location.
Throughout the 20th century, the hotel continued to play host to an elite clientele including governors, senators, celebrities, and musicians. If walls could talk, the stories within would echo with secrets of politics, power, and performances.
The Haunt
Ghost Stories That Make Headlines
With such a storied past, it’s no surprise that The Driskill Hotel has developed a legendary reputation in paranormal circles. It’s not only one of the most haunted hotels in Texas—it’s become a must-visit destination for ghost hunters and thrill seekers from around the world. From inexplicable sounds to ghostly apparitions, the Driskill is crawling with paranormal activity that refuses to be ignored.
The Tragic Tale of Room 525
Arguably the most infamous location in the hotel is Room 525, where the lore is as chilling as the gusts that sometimes sweep through its closed door. Two different brides, separated by decades, reportedly took their own lives in the bathtub of this very room. The first occurred shortly after the woman was abandoned at the altar. The second, under eerily similar circumstances, happened almost 20 years later. Guests who stay in 525 have reported sudden feelings of despair, cold spots, and even strange whispers echoing through the darkness.
Colonel Driskill Never Left
Several employees and guests have claimed to encounter the spirit of Colonel Jesse Driskill himself, often described as a man puffing on a cigar while surveying the lobby. His ghost is said to appear especially when political events are underway—perhaps keeping an eye on those inhabiting his once-prized legacy.
Those who’ve smelled the distinct odor of cigar smoke in non-smoking sections of the hotel believe the Colonel is making his rounds. Maintenance staff have shared stories of lights flickering uncontrollably and objects moving without explanation, especially in areas known to have been part of his original office and private quarters.
The Playful Ghost of a Little Girl
Another well-known spirit haunting these halls is that of a young girl who met her end tragically in the 1880s. According to legend, she was the daughter of a U.S. Senator who lost her balance and fell down the grand staircase while chasing a ball. Today, guests report hearing giggles, rushed footsteps, or bouncing balls in the stairwell area—always with no child in sight. Some even claim to have seen a fleeting apparition in vintage clothing disappearing through the shadows.
The Painting That Watches You
In one corridor of the Driskill hangs a haunting portrait of a little girl. Often referred to simply as “The Creepy Girl Painting,” it’s a replica of a work by Richard King, and it seems to follow guests with its eyes. Some visitors report the sensation of being watched when they walk by, and others have claimed the face in the painting changes ever so subtly based on your angle. Coincidence… or spectral interference?
Unexplainable Sounds and Shadows
Many visitors have captured shadowy figures in photographs, felt cold drafts in windowless rooms, and heard footsteps echoing through empty hallways. One recurring claim is the persistent sound of a woman singing opera at odd hours—heard from vacant rooms. Paranormal investigators who have conducted EVPs (Electronic Voice Phenomena) in the hotel often report unexplained voices and electromagnetic spikes in traditionally active rooms.
An Invitation to Ghost Hunters and Paranormal Enthusiasts
Whether you’re a seasoned paranormal investigator or just someone seeking an extraordinary vacation, The Driskill Hotel offers the perfect mix of history, high-end charm, and haunting intrigue. You can sip a cocktail in the opulent Driskill Bar, stroll through the historic corridors where presidents walked, and maybe—just maybe—encounter a spirit or two lingering from Austin’s storied past.
As one of the most haunted hotels in Texas, the Driskill is a living legend, each room echoing with tales of love, loss, and lingering souls. Bring your EMF detectors, your EVP recorders, and plenty of curiosity—because once you check in at the Driskill, you might find that some guests never truly check out.
Ready to experience The Driskill Hotel for yourself? Book a night, pack your ghost-hunting gear, and prepare for a stay that straddles the line between the living and the legendary. After all, history and mystery go hand in hand in this towering Texas treasure.