Eight decades of supper, shade, and peacocks

Martha “Mattie” Faulk and her husband, Henry Faulk, moved to this old south Austin Farmhouse in 1916. Henry fell in love with the 23 acre property, its gardens and pastures. The house soon became a beloved home, with family evenings spent shucking corn and snap beans on the spacious porch. During the Depression, the small farm produced enough dairy and produce for the Faulks to share food with many neighbors.

The Faulk children contributed to society in their own ways. Son, John “Henry”, was a renowned storyteller, humorist and radio show host. Daughter, Texana “Faulk” Conn, devoted years of public service advocating for the civil rights of Texas’ deaf and hard of hearing citizens. Daughter, Mary, had a gift for entertaining and loved welcoming guests with elaborate dishes. Mary and Chester Koock married in 1934 and moved to live in the farmhouse in 1939.

After Chester returned from war, Martha gifted the farmhouse to the couple. Mary transformed the home into “Green Pastures.” She hosted lavish parties and wedding receptions, many for celebrities and dignitaries, eventually writing “The Texas Cookbook” with James Beard. Since the 1946 opening, Green Pastures has welcomed people of all races and faiths, though Austin restaurants didn’t desegregate until The Civil Rights Act, 18 years later.

After 24 years in the restaurant business, Mary and Chester Koock retired in 1970, leaving Green Pastures to their eldest son, Ken, and his business partner, Lee Buslett, from the famed Night Hawk restaurant chain. They continued Green Pastures’ reputation for excellent food and hospitality, to be succeeded by Lee’s son, Bob, who began working there as a teenager. The farmhouse was added to the National Register of Historic places in 1980.

To ensure the legacy of Green Pastures, Bob sought others with his passion for gracious hospitality. More than 100 local investors purchased the estate with the vision to add a boutique hotel. Bob remains an investor and inspiration. The farmhouse was restored in 2017 and renamed Mattie’s. The Inn opened in 2025. Green Pastures remains a landmark rooted in history, hospitality and a tradition of inclusivity that stretches back more than a century.