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Chapter 2.Indd HHistoryistory ooff NNewew BBraunfelsraunfels Spring Fed Pool New Braunfels’ Historic Heritage such local taxation was provided throughout Texas circa 1936 by the Constitution of 1876. In 1845, Prince Carl of Solms-Braunfels founded New Braunfels. In German, “Braunfels” means In the 20th century, New Braunfels experienced “Brown Rock.” Within the fi rst ten years of rapid growth partially because of the tourism settlement, the immigrants in New Braunfels industry. By this time the Comal and Guadalupe set up manufacturing centers for wagons, farm Rivers were within the city limits and much of the implements, leather goods, furniture, and clothing. land along the banks was open for public use. They sold these articles to the pioneers settling The recreational uses of the rivers for fi shing and throughout the Texas Hill Country. In 1850, New tubing not only attracted visitors but also business Braunfels was the fourth largest city in Texas, owners who opened restaurants and hotels. The following Galveston, San Antonio, and Houston. In completion of Interstate 35 in the decades after 1852 the newspaper was started with Ferdinand World War II only fueled the growth of tourism in Lindheimer, famous Texas botanist, as the editor. New Braunfels, and tourism is still profi table in the community today. Early on in the foundation of the city, the churches started schools, and then combined to form a city school, fi nally leading to a district system in 1858. The New Braunfels Academy was the fi rst school. That year, citizens decided to impose a tax to support the public school; this was 18 years before The 2010 New Braunfels Strategic Parks and Recreation Master Plan Page 2.1 History of New Braunfels New Braunfels’ Heritage of Parks Residents and visitors of New Braunfels have always enjoyed the natural resources that create the parks. For example, when Landa Park was still private property in the late 1800s, the landowner, Joseph Landa, allowed people to come onto his property for picnicking and other recreational activities. Even before the land was bought by the city and designated as public property, people were using it as a park. Visitors would come from San Antonio and Austin just to spend the day at what was then called Landa Pasture and the beautiful rivers. Not much has changed in the last 100 years. People still come to New Braunfels just to spend the day at the parks, and many residents move to New Braunfels because of how beautiful the parks make the city. Page 2.2 Our Parks - Our Heritage, Our Future History of New Braunfels Image and Unique Physical The rivers in New Braunfels have Features – A Beautiful Setting tremendous aesthetical and recreational “Our park system is the appeal including the excitement of running thread that connects New Braunfels is one of the best known communities water, the peacefulness of quiet fl owing this city.” in Texas, and much of that is because of the beauty water, the sound and movements of birds of its Hill Country setting. Beauty is found in the and animals associated with the water, and New Braunfels resident 2008 rivers and creeks, intimate neighborhoods with large mature trees that provide welcome tree-covered streets, historic downtown, and the shade to the users. Ecologically, the hill country landscape. linear confi guration of rivers makes them extremely valuable as landscape corridors for wildlife. Area roadways that approach New Braunfels do little to contribute to its image. Most visitors approach New Braunfels from the heavily traveled IH 35. Their fi rst impression is that of retail along IH 35 or that of the Wal-Mart Distribution Center. It is only when the city is explored closer to its center and to the northwest that the true image and character of the city is revealed. A review of the elements that contribute to New Braunfels’ unique image reveals the following: Rivers and Creeks New Braunfels’ river system consists of two main rivers, the Guadalupe River and the Comal River. Rural landscape The former is the larger of the two and includes Agricultural activity and landscapes characterize a number of fairly large tributaries. Both rivers New Braunfels from the Guadalupe River corridor provide the visitor with dramatic views and vistas and sections of Seguin Avenue down to the as they wind through the city. southern border of city. Large areas of land are unspoiled by development. Such landscapes are quickly vanishing from the urban environment. Yet, it is when such landscapes are offset by sensitive development that their real beauty is revealed. The 2010 New Braunfels Strategic Parks and Recreation Master Plan Page 2.3 History of New Braunfels In fact, areas along County Line Road appear to be successful in mixing farming and residential developments. Other scenic roads are sections of Seguin Avenue, San Antonio Avenue, and River Road. Gruene is of particular importance from a rural and historic point of view. It is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places as a historic district, and is one of the best known historic attractions in Texas. There is a local historic district in downtown New Braunfels called the Sophienburg Historic District. Buildings and places recognized as having historical signifi cance in this district include: ■ Comal County Courthouse ■ Comal Hotel and Klein-Kuse House ■ Comal Power Plant ■ First Protestant Church ■ Guadalupe Hotel ■ Hotel Faust ■ Lindheimer House Page 2.4 Our Parks - Our Heritage, Our Future History of New Braunfels Scenic and Tree Tunnel Roads / River The purpose of the New Braunfels Parks and Road Recreation Master Plan is to incorporate all the Trees growing along narrow streets with arching above-described elements in an intelligent manner branches provide new meaning to roads in cities. to celebrate their uniqueness, enhance their Many such settings are noticeable in the City of appearance, ensure their preservation, and make New Braunfels especially along River Road. Other their value known to the community. roads are scenic due to the agriculture and rural land that they traverse. This is especially evident along roads in the northwestern part of the city, Economic History and Growth generally northwest of Loop 337. These roads call for special attention to protect and preserve their When the early pioneers fi rst settled in New scenic value. Braunfels, many of them had trades such as making wagons, leather goods, furniture, clothing, as well Intimate Neighborhoods as being able to farm. New Braunfels quickly New Braunfels has various older neighborhoods became the commercial center for pioneers in the that are characterized by elegant older homes, Texas Hill Country. Other area settlers built cotton narrow and shaded streets, neat yards and an gins, saw mills, grist mills, and oil mills. By the intimate feeling. In such neighborhoods people 1880s, telegraph and rail lines went from Austin to typically walk the streets and visit neighbors on San Antonio, passing through New Braunfels. This foot. allowed for easy communication and the exchange of goods. Downtown New Braunfels Well maintained, well used, and enjoyed during the The textile factories and fl our mills offered steady week and the weekend, the Main Plaza roundabout work and growth in the early 20th century. However, and the associated downtown area have a charm the Great Depression almost closed all the mills that stretches beyond the City of New Braunfels. and the boll weevils beetle nearly destroyed the Many visitors come from afar to attend musical textile industry. Growth of the city then began again events and to shop in the quaint stores. Once during World War II, during which time the city off Seguin Avenue and San Antonio Avenue, the reorganized their government for the second time. downtown area is further characterized by narrow The original system of aldermen was replaced in tree-covered streets with small, but neatly kept 1920 with a mayor-commission system. In 1947, houses and multiple churches. the city replaced it with a council-manager form of government. As mentioned previously, the tourism industry is very profi table and vibrant in New Braunfels. The Guadalupe and Comal Rivers offer recreational activities such as swimming, fi shing, tubing, and kayaking. Also, the Schlitterbahn Water Park is in New Braunfels. Schlitterbahn is on 65 acres in the heart of New Braunfels, and has been mentioned on the Travel Channel as the number one water park in the United States for several years now. Another tourism attraction in New Braunfels The 2010 New Braunfels Strategic Parks and Recreation Master Plan Page 2.5 History of New Braunfels is the historic district of Gruene. Gruene was Table 2.1 once its own town in Comal County along the New Braunfels’ Major Employers Guadalupe River; however it became a ghost Employer # of Employees town after the stock market crash in 1929. Now it is within the city limits of New Braunfels, and in Schlitterbahn 1,800 (seasonal) the 1970s efforts were made to save the town’s Comal ISD 1,700 historic infrastructure. The “town” is listed on the Wal-Mart Distribution 1,200 National Register of Historic Places and consists New Braunfels ISD 912 of a winery, restaurants, souvenir shops, and the famous dance hall, Gruene Hall. Other major city Christus Santa Rosa Hospital 900 employers are shown in Table 2.1 to the right. The Scooter Store 870 Hunter Industries, Ltd. 550 Comal County 523 City of New Braunfels 450 Wal-Mart Super Center 435 HD Supply Facilities Maintenance 450 Checks in the Mail 350 Dean Word Company 350 HEB Grocery 300 Ashley Furniture Homestore 245 Distribution Home Depot 240 Coleman Company, Inc. 230 Eden Home 230 GVTC Communications 228 Source: 2008 New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce Gruene Historic District Page 2.6 Our Parks - Our Heritage, Our Future PPopulationopulation & DDemographicsemographics ooff NNewew BBraunfelsraunfels New Braunfels’ Service Area New Braunfels’ Growing Population The New Braunfels city limits and ETJ limits cross over two counties, Comal County and Guadalupe New Braunfels will experience steady growth County.
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