Guide To Comfort’s Historic District And Hill Country Life
February 19, 2026
February 19, 2026
Looking for a small-town core with history, wine country weekends, and open-sky acreage? Comfort delivers that mix in one of the Hill Country’s most scenic pockets, just far enough from the city to slow down but close enough to keep life practical. If you are weighing a cottage near downtown or land with a well and pasture, you need a clear picture of how Comfort works day to day. This guide walks you through the Historic District, local flavor, outdoor options, and the nuts and bolts of owning acreage in 78013. Let’s dive in.
Comfort is an unincorporated community in western Kendall County near the Guadalupe River, right where TX‑27, US‑87, and I‑10 meet. You are roughly 16 miles from Boerne, about 18 miles from Kerrville, and around 45 to 50 miles from central San Antonio depending on traffic. You get quick highway access without a big-town feel. The Texas State Historical Association’s overview provides helpful context on the town’s location and roots.
Because Comfort is unincorporated, there is no city government. Most permitting, planning, and many services are handled by Kendall County or by special districts. The Greater Comfort Area Chamber of Commerce serves as a visitor and business hub for events and local information. If you are buying, it helps to understand how county-level approvals and utilities work here.
Comfort was laid out by German settlers in 1854 and became home to many Freethinkers from nearby German-Texan communities. That heritage shows up in public memory and local landmarks, including the Treue der Union Monument, a Civil War memorial. You can read more about the founding era in the TSHA Comfort entry.
Much of downtown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Comfort Historic District. Walk High Street and you will see limestone storefronts, brick commercial buildings, and original shopfronts that feel like a preserved 19th-century streetscape. Architecture buffs will spot Victorian and Queen Anne details as well as earlier German building methods such as fachwerk and limestone work. Several notable late-1800s buildings in town are tied to architect Alfred Giles, including the August Faltin building and other period storefronts.
National Register listing is primarily honorary recognition. It does not automatically restrict what private owners can do with their buildings. That said, listing opens the door to certain incentives. Income-producing properties that undergo certified rehabilitation may qualify for federal and Texas state historic tax credits. These projects go through a staged review with the Texas Historical Commission and the National Park Service. Learn more in the Texas Historical Commission’s National Register FAQ. In short, incentives are real, but the process is formal and usually geared to commercial or rental properties rather than routine owner-occupied work.
Downtown Comfort is compact and walkable, with most shops and cafés clustered along High Street and nearby blocks. You will find antiques, boutiques, small tasting rooms, and casual dining, often housed in historic storefronts. The town keeps a relaxed weekday pace, then livens up on weekends with visitor traffic. The Comfort Chamber of Commerce offers a walking tour and an events calendar that are useful when planning a visit.
Dining is small-scale and local. Favorites like High’s Café, Comfort Pizza, and other coffee and bistro spots give you enough variety for a long weekend and regular life, though hours can be limited, especially midweek. For an at-a-glance take on places to eat and things to do, this local guide to Comfort activities and dining is a quick reference.
Lodging leans boutique and historic. Hotel Giles, the Meyer Hotel, and Camp Comfort are popular with weekenders and wedding groups. Restored historic buildings often double as event venues. For a lifestyle snapshot, Southern Living recently highlighted the town’s charm and hospitality scene in its feature on why Comfort is worth a trip.
Comfort sits near several Hill Country wineries that add to the weekend rhythm. Bending Branch Winery operates an estate property outside town and a downtown tasting room, the Branch on High. Live music and events are common, and local producers often market together to create a “wine loop” feel. Explore offerings and events at Bending Branch Winery. Singing Water Vineyards and Newsom Vineyards also have a presence in or near Comfort, rounding out your tasting options.
If you want trail time and river access, you have it. The Guadalupe River skirts town, and James Kiehl River Bend Park offers local access and walking trails. Mountain bikers can head to Flat Rock Ranch for well-known singletrack. A concise list of outdoor ideas appears in this roundup of things to do in Comfort. The mix of antiques, tasting rooms, and active recreation is part of what draws second-home buyers to the area.
Step outside the Historic District and you will find a patchwork of small farms, vineyards, and large ranches. Listings around Comfort often split into two categories. In-town cottages or historic homes near High Street, and acreage properties that can range from small hobby farms on 5 to 10 acres to multi-hundred-acre ranches with river frontage. Pricing varies widely by acreage, water, improvements, and access. Use a current MLS search for up-to-date market information since numbers change quickly with supply and season.
Texas allows special agricultural and wildlife management appraisals that can lower your annual property tax bill. Often called 1-D-1 or productivity appraisal, this values land based on its ag or wildlife use rather than market value. Eligibility typically involves a use-history test, degree-of-intensity standards, and, for wildlife management, a plan that meets state criteria. If land use changes, rollback taxes may apply. For the rules and process, start with the Texas Comptroller’s guidance on ag and timber appraisals, then confirm specifics with the Kendall County Appraisal District.
Water is a central consideration for acreage buyers here. Many rural properties rely on private wells. In-town or near-town addresses may connect to Kendall County Water Control and Improvement District No. 1. The WCID maintains drought contingency stages, and recent years have seen restrictions or service notices that can affect irrigation, pools, or new landscaping. Before you buy, confirm whether a property is on WCID service, relies on a well, and whether any drought rules are in effect. You can review current notices on the KCWCID No. 1 site.
Electricity around Comfort is commonly served by rural cooperatives and local utilities. Internet service can vary by provider, especially on larger tracts. Reliable connectivity is worth verifying by address if you plan to work remotely. The local library keeps a helpful list of common utility contacts at the Comfort Public Library quick-reference page.
Use this quick checklist to focus your due diligence:
Is Comfort touristy or quiet? It is both. Weekdays feel easygoing, then weekends bring antiques shoppers, wine tasters, and event guests. The town and local businesses rely on visitor traffic, and many residents plan around that rhythm. The Comfort Chamber keeps an updated events calendar so you can anticipate busy periods.
For daily life, most people make Boerne or San Antonio runs for big-box errands and specialized services. In exchange, you get an intact historic core, proximity to the Guadalupe River, and space to stretch out on a few acres or more. If that mix sounds like you, 78013 often fits nicely.
Buying in Comfort blends lifestyle and land. You are picking a streetscape you love and solving for water, utilities, tax status, and long-term stewardship. That is where a boots-on-the-ground, principal-led team makes a difference. Summers Real Estate couples generational ranch experience with full-service residential marketing. We help you evaluate wells and water districts, ag and wildlife valuation paths, riparian considerations, and property improvements, all while keeping your lifestyle goals in view. When you are ready, we will curate on- and off-market options that match the way you want to live in the Hill Country.
If Comfort is on your short list, let’s talk timing, budget, and the kind of property that will serve you best. Start your search with Summers Real Estate.
Get assistance in determining current property value, crafting a competitive offer, writing and negotiating a contract, and much more. Contact us today.
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