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A Directory & Information Service for the Texas Hill Country

NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas

Pronounced: "new BRON-fells"

"Friendship", "Gently resisting change since 1872"

REFERENCES

TEXAS HILL COUNTRY REGIONAL CHRISTMAS LIGHTING TRAIL:
www.tex-fest.com/regional/index.htm. Tourism spotlight on this town.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES: See chamber.

SMALLER NEIGHBORING TOWNS:

PRINCIPAL BUSINESS: tourism, farming, ranching

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS:

BANDIT GOLF COURSE: 830-609-4665; 6019 FM 725, New Braunfels, TX 78130; Public, 18 holes, 6928 yds, par 71. www.banditgolfclub.net

CLEAR SPRINGS AVIARIES & ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS: 830-606-6029; IH-35 S, Exit 182. Gardens. A privately owned collection of 200 spieces of rare and endangered exotic birds and animals and 2000 exotic plants on a 35-acre park home. Admission.

DRY COMAL CREEK VINEYARDS: 830-885-4121; 1741 Herbelin Rd., New Braunfels, TX 78132; www.drycomalcreek.com; Hours: Mon-Sun 12-5. Featuring unique and different Texas Style Wines. Directions: 6.6 mi W of New Braunfels off Hwy 46 W (at 1741 Herbelin Rd). Only 20 minutes from Loop 1604 via IH-35 or Hwy 281.

LANDA PARK GOLF COURSE: 830-221-4340; 180 Golf Course Dr., New Braunfels, TX 78130. Municipal, Public, 18 holes, 6168 yds. www.nbtexas.org/index.aspx?nid=423

LEE'S PAR 3 GOLF: 830-620-4653; 1450 W Klein Rd., New Braunfels, TX 78130-9036. Public, 9 holes, 1095 yds, par 27.

NATURAL BRIDGE CAVERNS: 210-651-6101; 26495 Natural Bridge Cavern Rd, Natural Bridge Caverns, TX 78266. Just 8 mi W IH-35 (Exit 175) in New Bruanfels. Take a tour of the largest caverns in Texas, visit the Natural Bridge Caverns Mining Company and learn about identifying gems and minerals while filling your pockets with treasure, or take the Adventure Tour through the South Cavern, a physically demanding and thrilling excursion into one of the world's premier caverns. Family-friendly guided tours along lighted, paved walkways. Open daily. Cavern

NATURAL BRIDGE WILDLIFE RANCH: 830-438-7400; 26515 Natural Bridge Cavern Rd, Natural Bridge Caverns, TX 78266. See this family African safari (Texas style) from the comfort of your own vehicle, travel through hundreds of acres of Texas ranchlands that are a safe home for species from all over the world. Open daily. Located next door to the Caverns. Wildlife Ranch

RIVER TUBING: From Canyon Lake to New Braunfels, on the Guadalupe River. Lots of outfitters and camps.

SCHLITTERBAHN WATERPARK RESORT: 830-625-2351; 305 W Austin Street, New Braunfels, TX 78130. A 65-acre waterpark and resort complex features more than 40 rides and family activities in six themed areas. Miles of tube chutes. Voted "World's Best Waterpark 11 years in a row". Free parking. Schlitterbahn

ANIMAL WORLD & SNAKE FARM: 830-608-9270; 5640 IH-35 S, Exit 183, New Braunfels, TX. www.exoticanimalworld.com. 400+ reptiles. 10a-6p daily. Fee Required.

SUNDANCE GOLF COURSE (EXECUTIVE), 830-629-3817; 2294 Common St, New Braunfels, TX 78130-3156. Public, 18 holes, 3558 yds, par 58

MUSEUMS & HISTORIC PLACES:

ALAMO CLASSIC CAR MUSEUM: 830-606-4311; 6401 IH 35S, New Braunfels, TX, 78132. Take a trip down memory lane among dozens of classic and vintage cars.

BUCKHORN BARBERSHOP MUSEUM: 830-629-2943; 521 W San Antonio, New Braunfels TX 78130. See Wagenfuehr Home below.

(THE) CARL FRIEDRICH BAETGE HOME (1805-1883): 830-629-6504; 1370 Church Hill Drive, New Braunfels, TX 78130. Home built in 1852, 26 mi NW of New Braunfels. The house was dismantled and rebuilt on Conservation Plaza in 1975. Carl Baetge was a Civil Engineer from Germany. Home was completely restored and is furnished with period pieces, mostly of Texas or German orgin. Operated as a museum by the New Braunfels Conservation Society.

DAS ANWESEN BED & BREAKFAST, EVENTS CENTER and PHARMACY MUSEUM: 866-526-1236; 360 Millie's Lane @ Hwy 306, New Braunfels, TX 78132; Includes event and wedding facilities. www.dasanwesen.com

HERITAGE VILLAGE, MUSEUM OF TEXAS HANDMADE FURNITURE: 830-629-6504; 1370 Church Hill Drive, New Braunfels, TX 78130. An historic home and valuable collection of early Texas handmade furniture. The Museum showcases the unique German heritage of New Braunfels with special recognition of the accomplishments of German cabinetmakers that helped settle the area from 1845-1880. Costumed docents conduct tours that include the historic Breustedt-Dillen fachwerk house with 75+pieces of early Texas handmade furniture, white English ironstone collection, cabinetmaker's shop, and 1847 Reininger log cabin. Library of books about Texas & local history and early Texas Furniture. Gift Shop. Ten acres of grounds and covered pavilion with catering kitchen and restrooms available for rental. Tue-Sun 1-4p, closed Mon and Dec-Jan. Email: museum@nbheritagevillage.com; Web: www.nbheritagevillage.com;
www.nbcham.org/museum_of_texas_handmade_furnitu.htm
www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/view/FF/lpf1.html

LINDHEIMER HOUSE: 830-608-1512; 491 Comal Avenue, New Braunfels, TX, 78130. A small monument to a man credited with discovering several hundred plant species, including a milkweed, a loco weed, a mimosa, and a rock daisy. Antiques and period pieces, some that belonged to the self-taught botanist, fill the four small rooms of the wood and fachwerk house. Ferdinand Jakob Lindheimer (1801-1879) was the Father of Texas Botany, and a newspaper editor during War and Reconstruction. He was the man most responsible for New Braunfels being located by the Comal Springs. His 1852 half timber or Fachwerk home is fully restored with many original items and pieces of furniture. Operated as a museum by the New Braunfels Conservation Society.

MCKENNA CHILDREN'S MUSEUM: 830-606-9525; 801 West San Antonio Street, New Braunfels, TX 78130-7939. A learning environment for children and families which stimulates thought, inspires imagination and prompts understanding through "hands-on" educational exhibits and programs which focus on fine arts, culture, history, science and technology. www.mckennakids.org

THE NEW BRAUNFELS CONSERVATION SOCIETY: 830-629-2943; 1300 Churchill Drive, New Braunfels, TX 78130. Restored and furnishes 14 buildings circa 1849-187 to form a German Village called "Conservation Plaza". Open to the public. www.nbconservation.org

NEW BRAUNFELS FIRE MUSEUM: Fire Station One, on 1st block of Hill Street.

MUSEUM OF ART AND MUSIC: 830-625-5636; 1259 Gruene Rd., New Braunfels, TX, 78130. Dedicated to inspiring, educating, and enriching the life of the public by deepening the understanding of the human experience through the collection, preservation and exhibition of diverse cultural traditions focusing on visual art, folk art, craft, and music of the state of Texas. www.nbmuseum.org

RAILROAD MUSEUM: 830-627-2447; 302 San Antonio St, New Braunfels, TX 78130. In the Old New Braunfels Depot (c 1891).

SOPHIENBURG MUSEUM: 830-629-1572; 401 W. Coll St. (at Academy Ave), New Braunfels, TX 78130. Preserve the history of the settlement of New Braunfels by "The Society for the Protection of German Emigrants to Texas" in 1844-1847 and the subsequent development of this city and area of Texas. Relates history through display of artifacts and early life in New Braunfels and written history of the area through thousands of collections of personal and public documents. www.sophienburg.org. Email: sophienburg@sbcglobal.net.

(THE) WAGENFUEHR HOME & BUCKHORN BARBERSHOP MUSEUM: 830-629-6504; 1370 Church Hill Drive, New Braunfels, TX 78130. A "collector's paradise." A "1900's" equipped barber shop contains literally hundreds of hand-carved miniature circus figures and pictures made from rocks. Operated as a museum by the New Braunfels Conservation Society.

NEARBY & HILL COUNTRY-WIDE ATTRACTIONS: See Attractions.

Some of the very nearby attractions include:

HISTORIC GRUENE: Pronounced "green". Once a significant cotton-producing community along the Guadalupe River, the economy is now supported primarily by tourism. Gruene lies entirely within the city limits of New Braunfels. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Featuring wine tasting, shopping, dining, dancing, and B&B's. Oldest dance hall in Texas.

MAJOR RETAIL SHOPPING MALL OUTLETS: On SE side of IH-35 at Exit 201 between New Braunfels and San Marcos. See description at San Marcos Profile

SAN MARCOS: AQUARENA SPRINGS; BELVIN STREET DISTRICT; HISTORIC CITY HALL AND FIRE STATION; COMMEMORATIVE AIR FORCE CENTRAL TEXAS WING; SHOPPING OUTLET MALLS; GOLF; RIVER TUBING; NATIONAL FISH HATCHERY; SCENIC DRIVES; TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY; WITTLIFF GALLERY; WONDER WORLD PARK; MANY RECREATIONAL PARKS

PARKS: There are many state and county parks in the greater area as profiled on the Parks page. These nearby parks include:

CANYON LAKE AREA: CANYON PARK; CANYON BEACH PARK; COMAL PARK; CRANES MILL PARK; GUADALUPE PARK; NORTH PARK; OVERLOOK PARK; POTTERS CREEK PARK; JACOB'S PARK

SPRING BRANCH: HILL COUNTRY STATE NATURAL AREA; HONEY CREEK STATE NATURAL AREA

Local city parks include:

LANDA PAKK: Scenic city park with hundreds of artesian springs. Ride the miniature train in the most beautiful walking arboretum. Host to annual Wurstfest. Landa Park.

EVENT CALENDAR: For full details on each event see Chamber web site, The NB Scene and
Festivals & Events

January:

February:

March:

April: Folkfest

May: Wein & Saengerfest: noon-10p downtown. Wine & beer tasting, grape stomp,
farmers market, cooking seminars, art market, live music, children's activities, street dance.

June: Frog Fest

July:

August:

September: Comal County Fair

October:

November (early): Wurstfest (sausage festival); A German-heritage celebration salutes the "best of the wurst." Features singing societies, traditional German bands, dancing groups and sausages of every description. Historical exhibits, art shows and special events.

November (3rd week): WEIHNACHTSMARKT (courthouse area lighting and events); Schlitterbahn's River of Lights Spectacular (on Comal River, several shows each night, dancing Christmas trees)

December: Wassifest

On-Going Events: For full details on each event see Hill Country Market Days, Trade Days, Farmers Markets:

WEATHER: Weather Underground

MEDIA COVERAGE: Latest News (Topix)

MAPS: Google, more GeoHack

HISTORY: Handbook of Texas Online: " It was founded on March 21, 1845, when, under the auspices of the Adelsverein, Nicolaus Zink led a German immigrant wagontrain up the Guadalupe River to the ford of the San Antonio-Nacogdoches road. They made camp at a site on Comal Creek (now Dry Comal Creek) chosen by Prince Carl of Solms-Braunfels, the first commissioner general of the Adelsverein, and promptly organized to receive later arrivals. Zink platted preliminary town and farm lots and supervised construction of a primitive stockade, the Zinkenburg, to protect the immigrants against allegedly cannibalistic Indians. Within weeks Prince Solms had laid the cornerstone for a more permanent fort and headquarters for the immigrant association, the Sophienburg (now the Sophienburg Museum), made provision for supplying the burgeoning settlement through its first summer on the frontier, and handed leadership of the colony over to John O. Meusebach. By summer the settlers numbered between 300 and 400, and the community had been incorporated under the name of Prince Solms's estate on the Lahn River in western Germany, Braunfels. From 1846 until the 1880s a number of Hispanics and Lipan Indians moved into New Braunfels each spring during sheep-shearing season.

Taking advantage of the reliable water power afforded by Comal Springs and the community's position on the road between Austin and San Antonio, the settlers wasted little time establishing the supply and processing businesses-stores, millworks, and craft shops-that soon made New Braunfels the commercial center of a growing agricultural area. Many immigrants brought artisanal skills as well as business acumen to their new home. Within a decade of its founding New Braunfels had emerged as a manufacturing center supplying wagons, farm implements, leather goods, furniture, and clothing for pioneers settling the hills of Central Texas. The town also figured as an important market for the expanding agricultural frontier. Its markets supplied places as close as Bastrop and Victoria and as far away as New Orleans, New York, and the Nassau province of Germany. It is reported that in 1850 New Braunfels was the fourth largest town in Texas.

The community's social and cultural development proceeded with its economic progress. Independent Evangelical Protestant, Lutheran, Methodist, and Catholic congregations were formed in the early years of settlement and undertook the construction of permanent church buildings. Blacks formed Baptist and Methodist churches in the late 1860s. The initial church school gave way to a city school, then to a district system that in 1858 was incorporated with the New Braunfels Academy. Citizens voted unanimously to impose a tax for the support of a public school eighteen years before the Constitution of 1876 provided for such local taxation throughout Texas. New Braunfels, Galveston, and Fredricksburg were among the first Texas towns to collect taxes to support schools. Catholics established schools in the 1860s under the direction of the Sisters of Divine Providence; black schools were formed during Reconstruction, and schools for Hispanics appeared early in the twentieth century. In the decades before 1990 the New Braunfels Independent School District supported five schools. A gregarious lot, the Germans of New Braunfels also organized the Germania Singing Society, the Schuetzen Verein, a shooting club, and one of the early Turnvereins or athletic clubs. All of these served to maintain the ethnic and cultural identity of the original settlers for later generations. The Neu Braunfelser Zeitung, which issued its first edition in 1852, was published continuously in German until 1957; it later merged with the English language newspaper, the New Braunfels Herald.

By the early 1880s, with a population estimated at 2,000, the community was linked by telegraph and rail lines with Austin and San Antonio, and textile factories along the Comal River were shipping cotton and woolen products. The following decade saw the installation of electric streetlights and the first telephone line through New Braunfels. A permanent county courthouse adjacent to the town square in New Braunfels opened in 1898. By 1900 both the International-Great Northern and the Missouri, Kansas and Texas railroads provided freight and passenger service and had helped secure the city's future as a manufacturing and shipping center. Flour mills, textile factories, and processing plants for construction materials provided the basis for steady growth in the twentieth century; from a population estimated at 3,165 in 1912 the town doubled in size to 6,242 by the onset of the Great Depression. The depression and the boll weevil nearly devastated the textile industry, which returned very slowly. A new growth period during and immediately after World War II saw the depression-era total nearly double again. In 1952 New Braunfels had approximately 12,200 residents. To keep pace with this growth and attendant social changes, New Braunfels reorganized its city government twice in the twentieth century, replacing the original aldermanic form in 1920 with the mayor-commission system, and subsequently replacing that with a council-manager form. In 1947 the city incorporated eight suburbs within its limits.

In the twentieth century New Braunfels added tourism to its major industries. The replacement of water and steam with electrical power in the late 1800s made land along the Comal and Guadalupe rivers within the city limits available for public use. By 1936 the city had reserved much of this land for parks by purchasing Cypress Bend and Landa parks. Landa Park had first opened in 1899 as a private resort area, and, promoted by the International-Great Northern Railroad, had begun to develop as a tourist destination for weekend excursions from San Antonio. Tourism in New Braunfels accelerated in the decades following World War II, when Interstate Highway 35 was completed and when local merchants and investors began to capitalize on the natural and historic attractions offered by the city and its environs, particularly the recreational potential of the Guadalupe River and, after 1964, of Canyon Lake. The opening of Natural Bridge Caverns and the Wurstfest, a German-heritage celebration, in the early 1960s also facilitated the growth of a tourist industry that by the mid-1980s supported some thirty hotels and motels, as well as resort condominiums, around the city and Canyon Lake.

Tourism combined with the continued vitality of the city's industrial sector to sustain a roughly 30 percent increase in the population of New Braunfels for several decades after World War II. The city's proximity to San Antonio was another factor in its growth; in 1973 Comal County became part of the San Antonio Metropolitan Statistical Area. In the mid-1980s New Braunfels had fourteen major industries (each with more than seventy-five employees), with textile and construction-materials producers still predominant. Seven major financial institutions fueled the growth. In the 1970 census New Braunfels registered 17,859 residents; in 1980 it posted a gain to 22,402. Hispanic-surnamed residents constituted 34.3 percent of the population and blacks 1.6 percent. In 1990 New Braunfels had a population of 27,334 and extended into Guadalupe County. The population grew to 36,494 in 2000."

PRIOR NAMES: Neu-Braunfels

NATIONAL REGISTRY SITES:

CEMETERIES: Yes

AVAILABLE SERVICES: Gas: yes; Convenience Stores: yes; Restaurants: yes; Lodging: yes; Grocery Stores: yes; Banks: yes; Vehicle Repair: yes; Hospital: yes; Med Clinic: yes; Post Office: yes; Public Schools: yes; Cemetery: yes

OTHER PROFILES: Wikipedia; ePodunk; City Data; Texas Escapes, Travel Texas

NOTES:

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