New businesses develop during Reconstruction
By Myra Lee Adams Goff Before we say goodbye to the Civil War, let’s look at what the period immediately after the war known as Reconstruction, brought to Comal County. When the war was over in 1865, many did not return home, putting a terrible hardship on the families. Many
City’s “soul searching” program helps understand history
By Myra Lee Adams Goff They walked (some rode on golf carts) through the Comal Cemetery at the City’s Parks Department “Soul Searching” program. About 360 people met eight “souls” who were buried in the cemetery. The land for this cemetery originally belonged to John F. Torrey and was managed
Weihnachtsmarkt supports Sophienburg
By Myra Lee Adams Goff Two weeks from now the Sophienburg Museum and Archives will present their 24th shopping experience to the public. It’s called Weihnachtsmarkt, or Christmas Market, at the Civic Center. It begins Friday, Nov. 16th through Sunday, the 18th. The market offers 60 plus unique booths, plus
Bells become symbols of change
By Myra Lee Adams Goff Recently I gave a speech about the history of First Protestant Church at the Texas German-American Society’s meeting. One of the stories in the history of this church is about the three large bells that are in the tower. These are not the ones that
Fair exhibits show skills
By Myra Lee Adams Goff This is the Comal County Fair week. We’ve come a long way from Rat-baiting, Nine Man Morris and Quoits and Hobs (games at fairs of the Middle Ages) but basically the real purpose of a fair is the same now as it was then –
Seele describes first school day in 1845
By Myra Lee Adams Goff “O wie herrlich, o wie schӧn Ist es in die Schule Gehn.” (Oh how splendid; oh, how lovely It is to go to school) With this song, Hermann Seele inspired his first students in New Braunfels. It was August 11, 1845, and the location was
Locke nurseries business of the past
By Myra Lee Adams Goff When I think of Botanists in New Braunfels, I immediately think of Ferdinand Lindheimer. Lindheimer was given property on the Comal for his botanical garden. No doubt his accomplishments were many, but there were others in the field who contributed much to the beauty of
What a woman!
By Myra Lee Adams Goff One of the more exciting stories concerning the early settlers of New Braunfels was that of Betty Holekamp charging across the Guadalupe on a horse after Prince Carl’s spectacular show of bravado. The story was probably somewhat embellished over the years, but nevertheless it’s a