Brenham Rest Home began as the Brenham Hospital in 1920 when two physicians purchased and remodeled what was formerly the Elementary Ward School, at the corner of East Academy and Cottonwood. In 1922, the building was purchased by Dr. W.F. Hasskarl Sr., Dr. Robert Hasskarl and Dr. A.E. Becker and became known as the Brenham Hospital and Clinic. By 1930, Dr. W.F. Hasskarl Sr. was looking for someone to take over the hospital, and had a high regard for nuns running other Texas hospitals. He placed an ad in an Ohio paper that read, “Sisters Wanted to Operate Hospital in Texas.” By 1931, the Sisters of St. Francis were in Brenham operating the hospital. By 1935, they purchased the property and it became known as the St. Francis Hospital, with Dr. Haskarl remaining Chief of Staff. By 1951, in order to pass safety and licensing codes, a new hospital would need to be built. By 1954, the new St. Jude Hospital just north of Brenham was completed. At that time, two businessmen bought and converted the old St. Francis Hospital into the Brenham Rest Home, enlarging the facility to make room for more patients. During this time, the kitchen staff often made cookies and offered ice cream for the residents. A state inspector remarked he had not seen this done by any other home he inspected. Just one mark of true compassion that permeates our long history of care.

In 1982, Herbert and Pat Hughes bought the Brenham Rest Home and it was a family operation. In 1994, Brenham Health Care, Ltd. bought the Brenham Rest Home from the Hughes. Shortly afterwards, also in 1994, the Brenham Rest Home was acquired by Care Inn Properties, Inc., beginning it’s current history of being owned and managed by a premier leader in skilled nursing. In 2005, Care Inn Properties, Inc. changed its name to Touchstone Communities. So now, the Brenham Rest home, with a rich history of caring for so many so well throughout the years, continues this reputable tradition and is now also known as a Touchstone Community.