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

Comal County Fair

Photographed By James Hulse, November 9, 2022

1. Comal County Fair Marker

Inscription. The annual Comal County Fair represents tradition and community in New Braunfels, where it has been an important event since the early 1890s. The fair emphasizes agriculture, animal husbandry, home economic skills, arts, entertainment, patriotism, organizations and local industry. In 1892, the opportunity for the first fair arose when the city hospital, the Krankenhaus, held its dedication and wanted a fair to take place on hospital grounds as a hospital fundraiser. In 1893, the Comal County Fair Association organized with Harry Landa elected as president. The first Comal County Fair was held in 1894 on Landa's pasture near Landa Park and would be held there for the next four years.

In 1898, the association purchased eleven acres on the Guadalupe River in Comaltown to host the fair. The initial acreage was sold in 1905 to the city with a lease agreement with the fair association for use of the land that is still in effect today. In 1923, the fair association reorganized into a corporation and purchased additional adjacent acreage from the Braunfels subdivision. The fair has reflected the times, scaling back activities during WWI, the Great Depression, and WWII. The 1946 fair celebrated the end of WWII and also the New Braunfels Centennial. The centennial was celebrated a year late due to the war. The fair has always

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been about the people from fair queens, rodeo queens, marching bands, fair floats and the parade to carnivals, rodeos and horse racing. The Comal County Fair is the only community event where all schools and many local businesses close to encourage participation. Today the Comal County Fair has become one of the largest county fairs in Texas.

Erected 2014 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 17844.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Animals • Entertainment • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1892.

Location. 29° 42.788′ N, 98° 6.829′ W. Marker is in New Braunfels, Texas, in Comal County. Marker is at the intersection of Common Street and S East Avenue, on the right when traveling west on Common Street. The marker is located at the south entrance gate to the Comal County Fair grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 701 Common 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. Ferdinand Jacob Lindheimer (approx. ¼ mile away); Ferdinand J. Lindheimer (approx. ¼ mile away); Heinrich Mordhorst (approx. ¼ mile away); Welcome to the Comal Cemetery (approx. 0.3 miles away); Notable People & Plots

Photographed By James Hulse, November 9, 2022

2. Comal County Fair Marker

(approx. 0.3 miles away); Site of an Early Mill and Factory (approx. 0.7 miles away); The Eggeling Hotel (approx. 0.8 miles away); Mill Street Telegraph Station (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Braunfels.

Also see . . . Festivals. New Braunsfel Chamber

Spass, the German word for “fun”, is also an important word in German philosophy. So it was no surprise that music, athletic events, carnivals, dances, and celebrations for just about everything else became more and more important. One parade float sign in the 1890s summed up the mood of many festivals: “Strength and Cheer are given you by the foaming of noble City Beer”.

On October 17, 1853, the first Texas Sangerfest (singers festival) was held at Hermann Seele’s farm on the banks of the Guadalupe River. The love of music was passed on generationally through old songs sung in German, and new songs in English. Seele also organized the Kindermasken Ball and Parade in 1857. It is the oldest children’s festival and parade in the country, and is still celebrated each spring in New Braunfels.

(Submitted on November 10, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Viewing the Comal County Fair Marker looking west image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, November 9, 2022

3. Viewing the Comal County Fair Marker looking west

The Comal County Fair Marker at the South Gate to the fair grounds image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, November 9, 2022

4. The Comal County Fair Marker at the South Gate to the fair grounds

Credits. This page was last revised on November 10, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 10, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 368 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 10, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.