The New Braunfels community has one of the richest histories of any town in the Texas Hill Country. From the Spanish Colonial period through the arrival of German settlers in the area and the Civil War, the New Braunfels area contains some of the most stunning historic homes in Texas. If you are interested in the local history of the Texas Hill Country, there are several sites you should make it a point to visit during your time in New Braunfels or after completing your new home in Vintage Oaks.
The Lohse-Fischer House
Built in 1865, the Lohse-Fischer House is a fachwerk-constructed home featuring the original doors, windows, and siding. This fascinating historic home is a prime example of the early life of the first settlers in the New Braunfels area.
The Scholl-Peters House
Another great example of German settlers’ favored building technique using the fachwerk style, the Scholl-Peters House built in 1855 still stands with the original pine ceilings and floors, cypress shingles, and carefully aligned doors.
The Locksted-Siebold House
The Locksted-Siebold House is a unique take on the fachwerk style. Built in 1855 using a charming fieldstone construction, this home also features an exterior staircase, built to avoid taking up space in the already small interior. Inside the home, visitors can see a pump organ and swinging hand-carved walnut cradle.
The Jahn Haus
Built in the 1850s by one of the first master craftsmen to settle in the New Braunfels area, the Jahn Haus is unique in the area in that it features two front doors. Johann Michael Jahn, the home’s original owner, built one half while another craftsman by the name of Tietze built the other. In the 1890s, the owners added Victorian-style railings around the home’s porch.
The Lindheimer House
Ferdinand Jacob Lindheimer was one of early New Braunfels most prominent citizens, largely considered the father of Texas botany as he discovered hundreds of plant species in the area. He also served as a guide to new German settlers in the area and built this home in 1845 in the “saltbox” style that many German settlers liked. The Lindheimer House was the first restoration project completed by the New Braunfels Conservation Society.
The Faust Hotel
Although not technically a home, the Faust Hotel in New Braunfels holds a prominent place of respect in the Historic District of downtown New Braunfels. In 1929, Walter Faust opened this hotel after local leaders decided that a world-class hotel would help draw out-of-town visitors. Originally named the Traveler’s Hotel, it quickly became a favorite spot among visitors to New Braunfels, including families and traveling businesspeople.
In 1936, the hotel was renamed in honor of its founder and quickly earned a reputation as the honeymoon capital of Texas. In 2009, the Faust Hotel received a full overhaul, updating the mechanical and electrical equipment within while preserving the classic 1930s atmosphere. Today, almost every guest room contains period antiques for an unforgettable experience for every guest.
Gruene Hall
Dancing is a special part of the Texas lifestyle and local culture, so no trip to New Braunfels woul be complete without a trip to a real Texas dance hall. Gruene Hall, originally built in 1878, is the oldest dance hall in continuous operation in the state of Texas. The 6,000-square-foot dance hall features a high-pitched tin roof and side flaps for open-air dancing. Throughout the years, many famous musicians like Garth Brooks and the Dixie Chicks have performed at Gruene Hall. It still hosts regular events today.
The Annual Historic Home Tour
Every year, the New Braunfels Conservation Society hosts a tour of some of the most notable historic homes in the area, starting with the Lindheimer House on Comal Avenue. The next tour will happen on March 14, 2020, and all proceeds will benefit the New Braunfels Conservation Society, helping them restore and preserve more pieces of Texas history in the area.
The New Braunfels area is home to some of the most amazing historic homes and structures in Texas. If you find yourself in New Braunfels for business or pleasure, no trip would be complete without visiting at least a few of the places on this list. If you’re planning to move to the Vintage Oaks community, these places are only a few minutes away, offering you a glimpse into the history of the Texas Hill Country.
For more information, visit Vintage Oaks. Vintage Oaks is a 3,900-acre masterplanned community featuring Texas land for sale from one to 14 acres priced from the $90s and a variety of custom and semi-custom homes, and is the fastest-growing community in the San Antonio area for five consecutive years.
Owners enjoy amenities including three pools, a lazy river, children’s playgrounds, five miles of nature trails, tennis and basketball courts, sporting fields, and the stunning Tuscan clubhouse. The year-round calendar of events and activities for all ages also includes the Summer Concert Series in Timber Ridge Park, dining out groups, Bunco groups, swim-in movies, yoga classes, Wine Night and more.
The new Fitness Club at Vintage Oaks gives owners a world-class facility right in the community, with 7,800 square feet of space including: large indoor/outdoor classrooms; a lap and fitness pool; Precor cardio and Life Fitness weight equipment; a hot tub; locker rooms; and more than 100 group exercise classes per month including yoga, water aerobics, and boot camps.
For more information, view the video below.
