By Keva Hoffmann Boardman —

Created by Augustus Koch in 1881, the “Birds Eye View of New Braunfels” is so much more than just an etching of early New Braunfels. An aerial view of the city lying nestled between the rise of the Balcones Escarpment and the black dirt farmlands, it is almost photographic in its detailed rendering of buildings and streets. It is also a phenomenal piece of late 19th Century city marketing.

Augustus Koch was one of a handful of skilled artists/draftsmen who walked the American landscape after the Civil War. These men drew at least 1,800 town and city maps by the 1920s. Augustus, born in 1834 in Birnbaum, Prussia, was well-educated when he arrived in America. He enlisted in the Wisconsin Infantry in 1861, was commissioned in 1863, and became an engineering officer to an African-American regiment. While in the army, he produced maps of Vicksburg and other places which were used for battle planning.

By 1868, Augustus had begun his career as a panoramic map maker. Koch had been mentored by Albert Ruger, another German immigrant in Wisconsin, who was one of the earliest panoramic map makers in America. Augustus produced views of Cedar Falls, Iowa (1869), 8 views of towns in California (1870-71), and views of cities in Tennessee, Illinois, Texas, New York, Nebraska, Nevada, South Dakota and Maine (1872-1875). In the 1890s, Koch made views for cities in Virginia, Washington, Georgia, Florida, Missouri, Colorado, and Minnesota. By the end of his career, Augustus had drawn 110 birds eye views of cities and towns in 23 different states. He had crisscrossed his way across America several times. Can you imagine the changes and growth he saw?

To produce a birds eye view was an intensely painstaking process. Koch first sent an agent, or went himself, to a prospective town to drum up business. He would talk with local businessmen and civic groups and get them interested in a map of their community and commit to buy subscriptions for the finished map. Augustus began with a large basic sketch set on a street grid. He often looked at photographs and other maps of the town if they were available. He and his assistants then walked every street making sketches of each building and noting details in field notes that included compass directions and the relationships of blocks to one another. Simple figures of people, wagons and trees were added to the grid map to make up a conceptual drawing to show new would-be customers and sell more subscriptions. To insure better accuracy in placement, smaller houses were rendered rather alike — accuracy was more critical than aesthetics. Important buildings were drawn in much more detail.

Augustus then worked with a lithographer to produce a final drawing which was transferred and etched into a limestone slab that was inked and used to print the highly detailed image. It took at least two weeks to sketch out the map before it went to the lithographer. The finished prints were delivered directly to the subscribers. Koch had to work quickly so folks would stay excited. Time was indeed money.

Most birds eye views show the town center and street grid. The street grid was always drawn at an angle to allow a better view of the buildings. The more details of buildings captured in the drawing, the more folks would buy it to see their home or business. The most important feature of the town was usually front-and-center in the drawing. Civic and personal pride was leveraged at every turn to encourage more buyers.

The 1881 Birds Eye View of New Braunfels is drawn from an elevation of about 2000 feet. It has a high horizon line so that more detail can be placed in the body of the print. Important buildings or businesses who paid for a subscription are emphasized. In the New Braunfels view, Koch highlights both the history and the progressive nature of the town. Center front above the title label, Augustus drew the old Sophienburg building, the original site of the city’s government by the Adelsverein; it was destroyed by wind in 1886. Koch conveyed the city’s growth and prosperity by adding the railroad tracks; steam engines belching smoke come in from two sides, one train carrying passengers and the other carrying goods. The rail line had been completed in 1880.

Koch drew many important buildings in meticulous detail and highlighted them in a numbered legend. These were specifically chosen to show off the town. The inclusion of the County Courthouse and prison proclaimed law and order. The tall-steepled churches and the cemetery depicted a town of morals and decency (note that the First Protestant church has a bell tower which was not completed until 1889). Factories, mills and cotton gins emit plumes of smoke indicating that industry is booming. Train stations and hotels showed that New Braunfels was big enough to encourage tourism and business trips. The inclusion of the New Braunfels Academy expressed the citizens’ passion for education. Amenities such as good bridges, wide plazas and orchards lent an air of comfortable living and prosperity.

These specifics are not random. Koch intentionally illustrated New Braunfels at its best. People were proud to hang the view in their homes or businesses and be able to point out their buildings. The city leaders used the panorama to sell the city to new businesses to promote growth. New Braunfels now stood out from other towns; Koch had drawn birds eye views of San Antonio and Austin and now New Braunfels was among the big guys.

The Sophienburg Museum sells prints of the 1881 Birds Eye View of New Braunfels in Sophie’s Shop. You can purchase your own sepia-toned or colored print. Be it Landa’s Rolling Mill, Rennert’s Brewery or the Turnverein’s equipment fields, you will have fun recognizing buildings and places and finding out more about New Braunfels history from Augustus Koch’s unique incredible view.

Sources: “Patterns of Progress: Birds Eye Views of Texas”, Amon Carter Museum, 2006; View and Viewmakers of Urban America: Lithographs of Towns and Cities in America, by John William Reps, p 184-186; Brenham Daily Banner May 29, 1881; Geographicus Rare Antique Maps, Koch, Augustus (October 15, 1834-1901); News+Media, “Cover Artist: Augustus Koch”, Saturday Oct. 1, 2016; Barry Lawrence Ruderman Antique Maps Inc., “Antique Maps by Augustus Koch”; https://texasartisans.mfah.org/digital/collection/p15939coll5/search/searchterm/WM-TA-KochAugustus; https://www.Geologywriter.com; https://preservingperkasie.com; https://www.illinoistimes.com/springfield/a-matter-of-perspective/Content?oid=11439594; https://www.boisestate.edu/sps-cihp/atlas-2/idyllic-settlement/

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When the New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce published a new brochure in the 1960s, they (rightfully) had a lot to boast about. New Braunfels was just beginning its change from a small town to a large town. Today, our community is changing from a large town to a city. Growth always produces changes – good and not so good – but many things remain the same. People still want the best for their families. They want good schools and good churches. They want activities and entertainment. They want to feel safe. And, they want to feel like they are a part of something – they want to belong.

Just hear the words of the 1960s description:

The “Beauty Spot of Texas” does not adequately describe the lure of the captivating attractions offered vacationists, sportsmen, tourists, and the opportunities for business men and those seeking a year ‘round home here in New Braunfels. Only by coming to this peaceful community, nestled at the foothills of the far famed Texas hill country, can one really appreciate the charm this area affords. Landa Park, where the taut nerves relax, and the great outdoors beckon, has for years been a Mecca for visitors. One of the Southwest’s largest outdoor swimming pools, filled with the crystal clear waters from the famous Comal Springs, constantly changing, assures the finest bathing facilities. Scenic drives, both in the City and the Texas hill country, along roads lined with wild flowers, and ranges abounding with wild deer and other game, are plentiful. Hunting and fishing are excellent. Golfing on one of the sportiest nine-hole courses in the country with well-trimmed fairways, grass greens, and six water hazards make this course most unusual and inviting. The Comal Springs, said to be Texas’ largest with a daily flow of two hundred ten million gallons of sparkling water, bubble up from subterranean rivers to form the enchanting Comal, the largest, shortest river in the world. The beautiful Guadalupe flows through the City on its way to the Coast.

Included with the description are some facts:

• Founded in 1845.
• Altitude 644 feet at the Plaza; 1700 feet in the nearby hills.
• Population: New Braunfels 8,000; Comal County 12,500.
• Average temperature: summer 78.4°; winter 58.4°.
• Average rainfall: 29 inches.
• Ranches: 375 in Comal County; 800 acres average.
• Farms: 750 in Comal County; 72 acres average.
• Churches: 13. All housed in fine buildings.
• Schools: 6 public and 2 parochial in the City.
• Manufactured products: flour and feed, cotton textiles, silk hosiery, gauze, children’s garments, mattresses, cedar oil, dairy products, wool tops, monuments, lime, road building materials, rock, wool, leather goods, potato chips, cold drinks, roasted coffee, and ice.
• Comal County is one of the best 65 counties in Texas for future development of business.

What differences from today’s city do you find? The temperature definitely is warmer. And what happened to all those ranches and farms? There are many more schools and churches. New Braunfels produced potato chips?

Our very location guarantees that New Braunfels and Comal County will continue to grow and change. No longer rural, but urban in nature, we still have a lovely quality of life. “Just a Grand Place to make a Living and a Grand Place to Live”.

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