THE GREENBRIER THROUGH THE YEARS

A chronological history of The Greenbrier, the Texans’ training camp home this year.

1778 » It became a prominent center for “taking the waters” — a sulfur spring is at the center of the 11,000-acre property, which today offers 710 guest rooms, 20 restaurants and 36 retail shops — and for the next 125 years was known as White Sulphur Springs.

1858 » The original hotel, called the Grand Central, opened its doors and would subsequently be occupied by the armies of both the North and the South during the Civil War. Union forces almost burned the place to the ground.

1869 » A rail line began delivering guests directly to the front gate. 1913 » The current hotel, constructed by the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway, opened, as did the resort’s first 18-hole golf course.

1931 » The completion of the north wing gave the hotel its modern shape.

1941-42 » It served as a detention center for German and Japanese diplomats who were based in the country when the U.S. entered World War II.

1943 » Having been purchased by the army, it served as a military hospital, treating nearly 25,000 patients. The railroad bought it back in 1946.

1948 » Fully restored to its former glory by Dorothy Draper, one of the country’s most renowned interior decorators, it reopened as a hotel in what was called the social event of the season.

Late 1950s » A secret underground bunker (code name “Project Greek Island”) was constructed as a safe place for Congress to escape in the case of nuclear holocaust. It was fully stocked for 30 years but, fortunately, never needed. The public wasn’t made aware of the bunker’s existence until 1992.

1979 » The first Ryder Cup with the U.S. vs. Europe format was held on the golf course.

1994 » It hosted the Solheim Cup, the women’s equivalent to the Ryder Cup, becoming the first course in the world to be the site of both competitions.

2009 » The property fell into bankruptcy and was eventually purchased by billionaire entrepreneur Jim Justice, who became governor of West Virginia in January.

2010 » The casino opened and the PGA Tour came in with the Greenbrier Classic.

2014 » The New Orleans Saints moved their preseason training camp to the property, occupying a $30 million football facility that Justice built them.

2016 » The resort closed briefly in the aftermath of devastating June floods that swept through the area.

2017 » When the Saints chose not to extend their contract, the Texans signed on, deciding to train outside of Houston for the first time in their 16-year history.