Near Luckenbach in Gillespie County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Engel Family
The Rev. August Engel (1818-1904), a circuit riding Methodist preacher and teacher, immigrated to Texas in 1846 from Germany. In 1859 he married Katharina Ernst (1837-1920). They had six children.
August Engel served as postmaster for five years in Blanco County, and for 32 years at Cranes Mill in Comal County, he was succeeded as Postmaster by his son August Engel, Jr., in 1904, who purchased six acres in 1885 in Gillespie County from Carl A. Luckenbach. A post office was established in Engel's home in 1886 with August Engel, Jr., serving as Postmaster. His sister Minna was asked to name the new post office. Married to C.A. Luckenbach, Minna chose the name of Luckenbach. A general merchandise store with a post office area, blacksmith shop, cotton gin, saloon and warehouses were added to the property, a dance hall (Tanz Halle) also located there was a center for local gatherings.
William Engel replaced his brother August Engel, Jr. as postmaster of Luckenbach in 1890. William's son, Benno W. Engel, Sr., was appointed Postmaster in 1935, and served in that capacity for 36 years, the Luckenbach Post Office was discontinued in 1971 after 85 years of continuous service to Gillespie County and to the community.
Erected 1996 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 10036.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1846.
Location. 30° 10.83′ N, 98° 45.371′ W. Marker is near Luckenbach, Texas, in Gillespie County. Marker is at the intersection of Luckenbach Loop Road and Farm to Market Road 1376, on the right when traveling south on Luckenbach Loop Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fredericksburg TX 78624, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Luckenbach (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Luckenbach School (approx. 0.3 miles away); Jakob (Jacob) Brodbeck (approx. 2.4 miles away); Lower South Grape Creek School (approx. 3.4 miles away); General E. Kirby Smith, C.S.A. (approx. 3.6 miles away); The Grapetown School (approx. 4.3 miles away); Pinta Trail (approx. 4˝ miles away); Ferdinand Hohenberger Farmstead (approx. 5.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Luckenbach.
Also see . . . Luckenbach Texas. TSHA Texas State Historical Association (Submitted on October 3, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 4, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 3, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 566 times since then and 88 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 3, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.