Aquatic expertise was abundant in old New Braunfels

By Myra Lee Adams Goff Did you know that there was a water ballet in New Braunfels the July 4th weekend? No? That’s not surprising because it was a very private family affair out at the end of Krueger Canyon. And the star of the show was an 80 year

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Roemer documented Texas’ geology, flora and fauna

By Myra Lee Adams Goff Twenty-eight-year-old Ferdinand von Roemer came to Texas on a quest for information about the geology, flora, and fauna of the state. Almost no information had been written in German to help the emigrants who would make Texas their home and Roemer’s complete account of his

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Turnverein promoted gymnastics, other community events

By Myra Lee Adams Goff If you have lived in New Braunfels at least six months, you haveprobably noticed that quite by accident, you have mastered the German language. Well, at least a few words. I’m sure you know these: Haus, Fest, Bier, Gruene, Wurst, Halle, and Verein (Nouns are capitalized). “Verein” means

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City clerk also was Landa Park manager in the 1940s

By Myra Lee Adams Goff During World War II when my dad, Marcus Adams, was City Clerk, he was also appointed Landa Park Manager. This was quite a responsibility for one man, but it was war time and municipal funds were scarce and it wasn’t unusual to double up. During

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Cannon fire signaled news of Civil War’s conclusion

By Myra Lee Adams Goff On the floor of the Sophienburg Museum is a strange looking hunk of steel that seems out of place because it has no apparent use. But this object wasn’t always useless. As a matter of fact, it had a very prominent place in New Braunfels

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Fire truck will lead July 4 parade through New Braunfels

By Myra Lee Adams Goff Sophienburg Board member Tobin Hoffmann invites you to the Sophienburg’s July 4th parade and celebration on the Plaza. A big group of the members of the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association will be gathering in New Braunfels and they will be in the parade. Plenty of folks will be showing their patriotism. The short parade will begin on Castell Ave., turn

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Family research resources available at Sophienburg archives

By Myra Lee Adams Goff Even as a child I perceived that there must be some connection between one’s personality and one’s genes because when I behaved myself, both parents were quick to claim their genetic contribution. On the other hand, when I did something wrong, both disclaimed their genetic

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Poets provide accounts of early New Braunfels life

By Myra Lee Adams Goff The late Dr. Robert Govier was a friend of mine and a real friend to the Sophienburg Archives. A native of New Braunfels, he got his Ph.D. in German and translated many documents for the Sophienburg. I considered him a multi-talented genius. While working on his

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There’ll be lots of fun Anhalt in West Comal this weekend

By Myra Lee Adams Goff There’s an old German legend in which a village comes alive only one day every 100 years. The musical “Brigadoon” was loosely based on this same idea. The small settlement of Anhalt reminds me of this legend. Driving up to the gate, this sleepy dance

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Arriving Germans found Indian tribes in area they settled

By Myra Lee Adams Goff Prince Carl in the diary of his sojourn to Texas writes about sleeping on the ground, using a pistol case as a pillow. Even before the emigrants arrived, he feared an Indian attack. He recalled a patriotic drinking song called “Deutschland Hoch”. Rewriting his own words

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