New Braunfels in Comal County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Sophienburg Hill
Prince Carl chose this hill property overlooking the city as the site for a fortress to protect the city. He named it the Sophienburg in honor of his fiancée, Princess Sophia. Although a log structure was built to serve as the Adelsverein headquarters, a large fortress was never built. A well was dug and other structures were built on the property that served as Adelsverein storehouses and lodging. Prince Carl returned to Germany a month after the founding of New Braunfels and John O. Meusebach succeeded him as Commissioner General. The Adelsverein had financial trouble and the Sophienburg Hill property was sold and divided. Eventually, the buildings deteriorated and in 1886, a storm destroyed the last remaining log structure.
In 1933, a portion of the original Sophienburg property was purchased to build the first museum building that still stands at the corner of Academy and Coll. In 1938, the first city library was built adjacent to the museum with a second library built nearby in 1968. These structures house the Sophienburg Museum and Archives collections. The Sophienburg Museum Association has ensured that the campus reflects the history of German immigration, the town's founding and its ongoing growth.
Erected 2017 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 18599.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is March 21, 1845.
Location. 29° 41.888′ N, 98° 7.456′ W. Marker is in New Braunfels, Texas, in Comal County. Marker is at the intersection of West Coll Street and South Academy Avenue, on the right when traveling north on West Coll Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 401 West Coll Street, New Braunfels TX 78130, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Hermann Seele (within shouting distance of this marker); Emmie Seele Faust Memorial Library (within shouting distance of this marker); New Braunfels 1918 Fire Station (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Hofheinz House (approx. ¼ mile away); First Protestant Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Spaß und Gemütlichkeit (approx. ¼ mile away); Hinmann House (approx. ¼ mile away); International & Great Northern Railroad in New Braunfels (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Braunfels.
Also see . . .
1. Sophienburg Museum and Archives - The Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) (Submitted on February 20, 2019, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas.)
2. Sophienburg Museum and Archives Official Website. (Submitted on February 20, 2019, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 20, 2019. It was originally submitted on February 20, 2019, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. This page has been viewed 266 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 20, 2019, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas.