New Braunfels in Comal County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Emmie Seele Faust Memorial Library

Photographed By Larry D. Moore, April 23, 2019

1. Emmie Seele Faust Memorial Library Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Located on the corner of Coll Street and Magazine Avenue, the Emmie Seele Faust Memorial Library served as the New Braunfels public library from 1938 to 1969. The New Braunfels Library Association formed in 1928 to meet the need for better education in the growing community. For ten years, the association operated a public library at various locations around the downtown area. In 1937, Emmie Seele Faust (1867-1957), daughter of first New Braunfels teacher, Hermann Seele, spearheaded a combined effort between the City of New Braunfels, the Sophienburg Museum and the New Braunfels Library Association to give the public library a permanent home.

The native rock building was designed by architect Jeremiah (Jimmie) Schmidt and opened in 1938 with 250 visitors. Built by Edwin Hanz, the rectangular, 65 x 30-foot building sits on a bell-shaped foundation made of rock and concrete. The front door and wrought-iron window grates are original.

When the Dittlinger Memorial Library was built in 1967 on the back of the property, the Emmie Seele Faust Library building ceased to be the public library, taking on a new use as an archive

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

and artifact collection storage space for the Sophienburg Museum and Archives. The Dittlinger Memorial Library building became part of the Sophienburg in 1999. In 2010, the Emmie Seele Faust Library was restored and repurposed as a meeting hall and classroom, preserving the original intention of the library association and Emmie Seele Faust.

Erected 2017 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 18692.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1938.

Location. 29° 41.851′ N, 98° 7.477′ W. Marker is in New Braunfels, Texas, in Comal County. Marker is at the intersection of West Coll Street and Magazine Avenue, on the right when traveling north on West Coll Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 401 W Coll St, 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); Sophienburg Hill (within shouting distance of this marker); The Hofheinz House (approx. ¼ mile away); New Braunfels 1918 Fire Station (approx. ¼ mile away); First United Methodist Church (approx. ¼ mile away); International & Great Northern Railroad in New Braunfels (approx. ¼ mile

Emmie Seele Faust Memorial Library Marker Area image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Larry D. Moore, April 23, 2019

2. Emmie Seele Faust Memorial Library Marker Area

away); Spaß und Gemütlichkeit (approx. ¼ mile away); First Protestant Church (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Braunfels.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 25, 2019. It was originally submitted on April 24, 2019, by Larry D. Moore of Del Valle, Texas. This page has been viewed 188 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 24, 2019, by Larry D. Moore of Del Valle, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.