Sophienburg Museum and Archives

Hermann Spiess follows Meusebach as commissioner general

April 20, 2014

By Myra Lee Adams Goff Hermann Spiess became the third Commissioner General of the Adelsverein, following Prince Carl and John Meusebach. Spiess had a more exciting life than the other two. Why don’t we know a lot about him? Why don’t we have a Spiess Street? For certain, he was

Historic tourism

May 19, 2013

Around the Sophienburg, Sophienblog

This article was published in the March 26, 2013, edition of the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung. The regular publication schedule will resume June 2, 2013. By Myra Lee Adams Goff Like so many young men, Ernst Gruene had heard the exciting stories of Texas, a Republic in its own right. He

Riley’s Tavern in Hunter lives on

May 29, 2012

Around the Sophienburg, Sophienblog

By Myra Lee Adams Goff In 1867 when cotton was “king”, Andrew Jackson Hunter bought a tract of land in eastern Comal County for the purpose of raising cotton. He lived nearby on York Creek. In 1880 when the IGN Railroad came through that area, the small settlement was called

Haelbig made lasting music impression

January 24, 2012

Around the Sophienburg, Sophienblog

By Myra Lee Adams Goff An outstanding early citizen of New Braunfels and one who contributed much to the culture of the community was a man named Stefan Haelbig. Haelbig organized many of the early musical groups and was the music instructor of hundreds of children and adults alike in