De Leon in Comanche County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Laura Valenta
Photographed by James Hulse, August 2, 2025
1. Laura Valenta Marker
Inscription.
Laura Valenta. . Born in 1883 to Bohemian immigrants Anton and Mary Freytag, Laura Freytag married Wenzel Valenta in 1898. Wenzel died in 1907, leaving Laura a young widow with four children. She ran a boarding house to support her family. In 1920, the 54-room Travelers Hotel opened in De Leon, and by 1926, Laura was dining room supervisor. In 1929, she bought the business. Under Laura's supervision, the hotel became well-known for its excellent service. Civic minded, Laura hosted fundraisers at the Travelers and opened rooms to people in need of lodging or food. A couple of her children assisted her with hotel operations. When Laura's health began to fail, the hotel was sold for housing. Laura died in 1971 and is buried in San Antonio.
Born in 1883 to Bohemian immigrants Anton and Mary Freytag, Laura Freytag married Wenzel Valenta in 1898. Wenzel died in 1907, leaving Laura a young widow with four children. She ran a boarding house to support her family. In 1920, the 54-room Travelers Hotel opened in De Leon, and by 1926, Laura was dining room supervisor. In 1929, she bought the business. Under Laura's supervision, the hotel became well-known for its excellent service. Civic minded, Laura hosted fundraisers at the Travelers and opened rooms to people in need of lodging or food. A couple of her children assisted her with hotel operations. When Laura's health began to fail, the hotel was sold for housing. Laura died in 1971 and is buried in San Antonio.
Erected 2024 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 23824.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1883.
Location. 32° 6.509′ N, 98° 32.242′ W. Marker is in De Leon, Texas, in Comanche County. It is at the intersection of South Texas Street (State Highway 16) and W Labadie Street, on the right when traveling south on South Texas Street. The marker is located on the northeast side of the building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 148 South Texas Street, De Leon TX 76444, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Big Country. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Comancherνa, the Republic of Texas, and one of the Confederate States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: De Leon World War II Memorial
More about this marker. The Historical Marker dedication was held on December 7, 2024.
Photographed by James Hulse, August 2, 2025
2. The view of the Laura Valenta Marker behind the building
Photographed by James Hulse, August 13, 2025
3. Travelers Hotel building
Credits. This page was last revised on August 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 3, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 126 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on August 3, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 3. submitted on August 16, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
