Ye Kendall Inn
The land in which this is national historic landmark sits upon was sold to Erastus and Sarah Reed, who left Georgia for Texas, on April 23,1859 by John James for $200. The couple built the center portion of the inn bringing the Southern Colonial architectural style to the Texas Hill Country. During these days, there were no hotels available to travelers, leaving them at the mercy of homeowners willing to share their spare rooms. The Reeds were the first to begin this hotel tradition, offering four rooms for those traveling through Texas Hill Country. Ranchers used the surrounding grounds as a wagon yard and penned their cattle in what is now the cities main plaza. The Old Reed House was also Boerne's stagecoach stop.
It's hotel traditions wouldn't end with the Reeds. In 1878, C. J. Roundtree and W. L. Wadsworth bought, expanded the building to accommodate visitors attracted to the healthy climate and gave it the new name of The Boerne Hotel. However it was owner Dr. H. J. Barnitz who adopted the name Ye Kendall Inn about thirty years later. It has given shelter to many famous people including Jefferson Davis, President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Robert E. Lee. The nine-acre property features airy porches, fully restored cottages, a 19th Century chapel converted in to a bridal suite, spa services, tavern and 36 guest rooms, suites and cottages. There is also a partial filled underground tunnel which connects the inn to the Boerne Public Library, a building which was owned by Joseph Dienger and operated as a general store in the past. This tunnel along with the 22-inch-thick hand-cut limestone walls has left many to believe Ye Kendall Inn may be haunted.
The lobby is thought to be one of the most active areas. A sign flew off the wall and across the room and cracked. Horses and carriage has been heard around the front desk. Phones are screwy for unknown reasons. Lights flicker. Some people have reported being touched by unseen hands. In the Marcella Booth (still alive and living in Boerne I believe) Room, there is a story about a body imprint on the bed. Maids, while making the bed, smooth out the covers. Upon leaving, the bed spread rumples in the shape of a person. Footsteps and feelings of uneasiness are reported in the cellar. Doors open/slam shut and door knobs rattle on their own.
Some believe both Sarah and Erastus haunt the location. Sarah is described as being a playful spirit (possibly the culprit who threw the sign) and Erastus is thought to be more "evil" of a presence by some. A chandelier has fallen, shattering on the floor, nearly miss hitting people. The third hotel owner, Harry King, was killed in a hunting accident and is seen walking across the courtyard or sitting at his favorite table in the restaurant wearing a top hat. A woman in a long white dress, believed to be Sarah, is also seen wandering the grounds. The claw-foot bathtub in The Victoria Room mysteriously fills itself while guest sleeps. They claim to never hear the water running.
It's hotel traditions wouldn't end with the Reeds. In 1878, C. J. Roundtree and W. L. Wadsworth bought, expanded the building to accommodate visitors attracted to the healthy climate and gave it the new name of The Boerne Hotel. However it was owner Dr. H. J. Barnitz who adopted the name Ye Kendall Inn about thirty years later. It has given shelter to many famous people including Jefferson Davis, President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Robert E. Lee. The nine-acre property features airy porches, fully restored cottages, a 19th Century chapel converted in to a bridal suite, spa services, tavern and 36 guest rooms, suites and cottages. There is also a partial filled underground tunnel which connects the inn to the Boerne Public Library, a building which was owned by Joseph Dienger and operated as a general store in the past. This tunnel along with the 22-inch-thick hand-cut limestone walls has left many to believe Ye Kendall Inn may be haunted.
The lobby is thought to be one of the most active areas. A sign flew off the wall and across the room and cracked. Horses and carriage has been heard around the front desk. Phones are screwy for unknown reasons. Lights flicker. Some people have reported being touched by unseen hands. In the Marcella Booth (still alive and living in Boerne I believe) Room, there is a story about a body imprint on the bed. Maids, while making the bed, smooth out the covers. Upon leaving, the bed spread rumples in the shape of a person. Footsteps and feelings of uneasiness are reported in the cellar. Doors open/slam shut and door knobs rattle on their own.
Some believe both Sarah and Erastus haunt the location. Sarah is described as being a playful spirit (possibly the culprit who threw the sign) and Erastus is thought to be more "evil" of a presence by some. A chandelier has fallen, shattering on the floor, nearly miss hitting people. The third hotel owner, Harry King, was killed in a hunting accident and is seen walking across the courtyard or sitting at his favorite table in the restaurant wearing a top hat. A woman in a long white dress, believed to be Sarah, is also seen wandering the grounds. The claw-foot bathtub in The Victoria Room mysteriously fills itself while guest sleeps. They claim to never hear the water running.
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