A stone spiral staircase winds around a tall, brick oven feature inside a rustic, vaulted room with wooden beams and tiled floor.

The Minds Behind a Mid Century Gem

Published on December 17, 2025

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The Mid-Century Masters: Jack Stehling and Tom Short’s Inn of the Hills

The Inn of the Hills Hotel in Kerrville is an enduring architectural treasure, capturing the relaxed sophistication of the Texas Hill Country. Unlike many local structures where the architect is forgotten, the Inn’s distinctive design is credited to two notable mid-century Texas architects: John Arthur "Jack" Stehling and his collaborator, Tom Short. While the hotel maintains its architectural heritage, guests today can enjoy all the modern amenities of a full service hotel, bar, restaurant, and conference center while admiring the legacy of these great architects.

Jack Stehling: The Fredericksburg Native with a Global Reach

John Arthur "Jack" Stehling (1930-1996) was a true Texas original whose career spanned from his Hill Country roots to major projects on the international stage.

  • Hill Country Foundation: Born in Fredericksburg, Texas, Stehling graduated from the University of Texas with an architecture degree in 1956. His local ties gave him an innate understanding of the Hill Country's materials and climate.

  • Global Experience: Before establishing his own firm, Stehling worked for the U.S. State Department, gaining unique experience that included designing the American Embassy in Mexico City, a testament to his early talent and versatility.

  • Stehling Interests: In 1967, he founded Stehling Interests, with offices in both Fredericksburg and Houston. At the height of his career, his firm produced a remarkable volume of work, including innovative designs for homes and commercial buildings across Texas and beyond.

  • Design Hallmarks: Stehling’s style is known for embracing Mid-Century Modernism while integrating regional elements. Key features of his work often include:

    • Native Stone Walls and Exposed Brick: Creating warmth and a sense of permanence.

    • Floor-to-Ceiling Glass: Maximizing natural light and views.

    • Atriums and Open Interiors: Blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor space. He famously designed several atrium-style office buildings, like the Arena Towers in Houston.

The Collaborative Genius: Stehling and Short

The Inn of the Hills was a joint effort between Stehling and Tom Short, resulting in a design that perfectly balanced the functional needs of a large hotel with a regional, resort aesthetic.

  • The Inn's Vision: When designing the Inn, the architects successfully translated the Hill Country spirit into a grand, welcoming structure. They chose to emphasize local materials and create a spatial arrangement that encouraged relaxation and social gathering.

  • Emphasizing the Courtyard: The hotel's central, lush courtyards, ringed by the guest rooms, are a signature element that speaks to the architects' ability to create an intimate, natural oasis within a large commercial footprint. This focus on internal landscaping and outdoor access is a classic mid-century strategy for resort architecture.

Legacy in stone

Today, the Inn of the Hills is one of the most visible and cherished examples of Jack Stehling's design prowess in his native Hill Country. Alongside his striking residential designs in Fredericksburg and monumental commercial projects in Houston, the Inn stands as a permanent tribute to a Texas architect who believed modern design could and should be rooted in local tradition.

The hotel’s custom ironwork, native stone façade, and well-proportioned public spaces are a lasting reminder of the elegant and thoughtful architecture created by Stehling and Short during a pivotal time for Texas design.

Come enjoy the mid century aesthetic while being pampered by modern amenities and book your stay today!