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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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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