Courthouse holding up pretty well after 110 years
By Myra Lee Adams Goff Ten years ago on January 22, 1999, our Comal County Courthouse, the Grand Dame of Main Plaza, celebrated its 100th birthday. Demanding the center of attention, the imposing, age-worn structure has stood guard over the hub of New Braunfels and Comal County all these years. The Courthouse guards the
Unique contrasts found in Carl Baetge geneology
By Myra Lee Adams Goff Do you know anyone in New Braunfels that is descended from aristocracy? Not the “let’s pretend” kind, but the real thing. In 1975 Roland Baetge compiled a history and family tree of the Baetge family and in his own words “put the living flesh on
Christmas a time for memories – happy and sad
By Myra Lee Adams Goff Do you have happy memories of Christmas past? The Sophienburg is full of stories, photographs, tapes, and collections that reflect what people feel are worth remembering and saving. But Christmas can bring sad, nostalgic memories as well. Charles Dickens capitalized on that idea in “The
Newspapers have left indelible mark on city
By Myra Lee Adams Goff Newspapers have been an integral part of the life of New Braunfels for 156 years. The first newspaper, “Neu Braunfelser Zeitung”, began Nov. 12, 1852. Here’s how it came about: A mass meeting of NB citizens was called to choose an editor of the “Zeitung”
Much can be discovered by visiting graves at Comal Cemetery
By Myra Lee Adams Goff Recently I went to the Comal Cemetery to visit family and friends. Don’t tell me that I’m the only one that does that; someone brings the flowers! Since I started writing this column I have greatly increased the number of people that I know in
We can thank Prince Carl for Weihnachtsmarkt next week
By Myra Lee Adams Goff Next week Nov. 21, 22, 23 begins Weihnachtsmarkt, the primary fund-raiser for the non-profit Sophienburg Museum and Archives. Co-chairmen Ginger Doherty and Allison Humphries announce that the shopping extravaganza will be returning to the new Civic Center. It will be an experience in old world
Interesting stories lie behind many street names
By Myra Lee Adams Goff Do you know why our streets are named what they are? A tremendous amount of history can be learned by knowing how our streets got their names. Using Main Plaza as the center of town, the names of Seguin Ave. and San Antonio St. are
Wurstfest’s vast bottle collection
By Myra Lee Adams Goff In the area of the Wursthalle called the Spass Haus, is a collection of 3,000 beer bottles adorning the walls. These bottles are only 20% of the collection and Wurstfest visitors can see the modified collection during the two weekends of the celebration. The collection
Museum’s rededication is Oct. 8
By Myra Lee Adams Goff On October 8, the Sophienburg will culminate a year-long celebration of its 75th year with a rededication. For you members and those that want to become members, come join us at a “Mad Hatters” reception from 6 to 8 p.m. with refreshments and exhibits. Wear
Where did the horse races go?
By Myra Lee Adams Goff Whatever happened to horse races at the Comal County Fair? They were “gone with the wind” in 1990. From the beginning, horseracing was foremost in the Fair’s entertainment because it was a very popular activity in early Texas. But then everything changed in 1987 when