Among the strong women of Texas, Clara Driscoll takes a prize. Philanthropist, political mover and shaker, she’s remembered fondly by Texans as the “Savior of the Alamo.”
Born on Copano Bay, she was the only daughter of Robert Driscoll, an immigrant who developed a multimillion dollar ranching empire. Educated in Europe, then a resident of Long Island, Clara eventually returned to Austin. She never lost her Texas roots.
For her obituary, Time magazine reported:
“Money player. Politicians soon learned to respect her. She could drink, battle, cuss and connive with the best of them, practically outspending all of them.”
It was Adina de Zavala (more later) who recruited Clara Driscoll into the second “Battle of the Alamo.” The grocery firm Hugo & Schmeltzer owned the site and planned to sell it to a Hotel developer. Adina recruited Clara Driscoll into the fight to save the Alamo. Clara practically bought the Alamo herself and gave it to the State of Texas. Eventually, Texas reimbursed her.
Clara’s brother Robert Driscoll, Jr., operated a large cattle ranch on Petronila creek. We who grew up in south Texas remember the whistle stop Driscoll (1904) on the StB&M railroad and Robstown (1906) on the Tex-Mex line, both named for Robert. He became an important financier in Corpus Christi. For several years, Driscoll town was a notable speed trap.
But it’s the Driscoll Hotel in Corpus Christi that lives in my memory. Clara built it to commemorate her brother Robert, and she resided in its twentieth-story penthouse. The Driscoll and the Nueces hotels stood out in the skyline. In the 1930’s, driving to Corpus, my brother and I would watch for those two landmarks visible far down the highway.
The rumor was that Clara was denied lodging in the Nueces hotel one evening. She vowed to build her own hotel next door so she could spit onto the Nueces hotel. Except – she didn’t say “spit.”
Dac Crossley
1/25/2011
“Politeness was invented by wise men to keep fools at a distance. – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Tudo Bem? fascinante este blog está muito posicionado.........Boa pinta :/
Muito agradável faz mais posts assim !!
Posted by: Dinheiro Fácil | February 24, 2011 at 05:03 AM
Hi, Dac--I am a Daughter of the Republic of Texas and I've never heard of Clara. Now, she was a woman to be admired--wish I'd known her.
Unfortunately, our chapter of the DRT here can only talk about money--how much they need, how much more they need, and how much they need to pay their bills.
I had to switch to an Associate member, which mean I don't pay the annual fee and I can't vote and I can't come to the meetings.
Very sad, because the chapter has lost members because of the few who run things and "tell" us how many hundred dollars we need to give. Not Kosher, is it.
I thoroughly enjoyed her story, and intend on looking her up. Celia
Posted by: Celia Yeary | January 25, 2011 at 12:46 PM
Are you sure you were driving in the 1930's? Maybe in Texas you were! Clara sounds like a character from McMurty's book.
Posted by: carole Hayden | January 25, 2011 at 11:45 AM
Grand hotels have the fascination of a world gone by. We stayed at the St. Anthony near the Alamo and loved every minute except for their Internet connection.
Posted by: Irene Black | January 25, 2011 at 11:13 AM
Spent the first night of my honeymoon at the Driscoll Hotel in Corpus Christi. Memories.
Posted by: Luella B. Wheeler | January 25, 2011 at 11:02 AM