Hygieostatic Bat Roost, Historical bat shelter in Comfort, Texas.
The Hygieostatic Bat Roost is a pyramid-shaped tower in Comfort, Texas, designed specifically for bat habitation. The structure features a shingled exterior, one working dormer entrance for bats, decorative dormers around the sides, and sits on an elevated concrete foundation to protect against moisture damage.
Dr. Charles Campbell designed this tower in 1918 as a scientific project to control mosquitoes through natural bat predation. The structure represented an innovative public health solution for South Texas at that time.
The tower shows early ideas about controlling pests through architecture, using bats as natural defenders against insects. This blend of design and practical benefit was unusual for Texas communities at that time.
Visitors can view the tower from the outside, with the elevated concrete base providing good viewing angles without needing to get very close. The best time to watch bat activity is at dusk when the animals become active.
The name comes from Greek words meaning health and standing, emphasizing the original purpose as a specialized habitat for bats. This naming choice shows how early 20th-century architects linked their designs to scientific thinking.
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