Austral Hotel
Sisters of St. Joseph
People and Places, a slide show

After the close of the Civil War up to the time of the depression in the early 1890’s Brentwood became a village that reflected prosperity and culture in its population and up scale homes. The extravagance and beauty of the Pearsall Estate gave inspiration to wealthy real estate promoters, Arthur B. Hart, George B. Studley and Clinton W. Kellam. Their plan was to build a resort community in Brentwood where the mild climate and healthful pines would attract people. These men had connections in Brentwood and New York City. They bought the Pearsall estate and an additional two hundred and fifty acres adjoining it. They built the Austral Hotel next door to the Pearsall mansion. The Pearsall mansion was used as a temporary hotel until the Austral was completed. The Austral Hotel had 135 rooms with accommodations for 225 guests. Many well known people came to the Austral as guests in addition to people who lived in Brentwood. Dr. William Ross came to Brentwood when he finished medical school to be the house physician at the Austral Hotel. The Austral Hotel had a short life as it was opened in 1888 and closed in 1896 when the real estate syndicate encountered financial difficulties. In 1896 the Sisters of St. Joseph purchased one hundred acres of land in what was then called Pine Park. This land included the former Pearsall residence and the 125 room Austral Hotel. The Austral Hotel became the Mother House and later the Novitiate. A. Bennett -- October 2007 -- Local History Newsletter