The town was established by German settlers in 1854. Weary from their journey from New Braunfels, the small group was so pleased by the picturesque site and pure water that they named it "Camp Comfort." With its abundance of vintage structures, much of midtown Comfort is in the National Register of Historic Places. Today, it's a popular tourist area with numerous camps along the Guadalupe River. Two RV resorts are available. A historical marker recognizes the 1930 art deco former Comfort Theater. Seven buildings constructed when the town was settled still remain, including original log cabins, "fachwerk" (German gingerbread) and native limestone historic buildings. A large part of the city has been designated a National Historic District.

Events include the daylong Christmas in Comfort on the Saturday after Thanksgiving; antique shows in May and October; Frühlingsfest "Spring Festival" on the first Saturday in April; the Fourth of July Parade and Celebration; and the autumn Scarecrow Invasion, when the town is filled with scarecrows.