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

Ernst and Antoinette Gruene House

Photographed By James Hulse, November 9, 2022

1. Ernst and Antoinette Gruene House Marker

Inscription.
Located in an area historically known as Comaltown, this home was built in 1852 by Ernst (1819-1914) and Maria Antoinette (Kloepper) (1826-1917) Gruene. They immigrated to Texas in 1845 and raised their three children, Ernst, Jr., Heinrich (H.D.), and Johanna, in this home. Built in the dogtrot style, the house featured a wide hall with rooms at either side to allow a breeze for ventilation. Similar to other German homes at the time, the house was constructed with handmade sun-dried adobe brick and hand hewn native mountain cedar timber frames. Altered over the years to accommodate later families, the house stands as a reminder of the Gruenes' legacy in Comal County. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 2018

Erected 2018 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 18902.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1852.

Location. 29° 43.518′ N, 98° 7.389′ W. Marker is in New Braunfels, Texas, in Comal County. Marker is on Rock Street, 0.1 miles east of River Road, on the right when traveling east. The marker is located in front of the house by the street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 532 Rock Street, New Braunfels TX 78130, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers

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are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Comal County Fair (approx. one mile away); Ferdinand Jacob Lindheimer (approx. 1.1 miles away); Ferdinand J. Lindheimer (approx. 1.1 miles away); Heinrich Mordhorst (approx. 1.2 miles away); Site of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe Mission (approx. 1.2 miles away); Welcome to the Comal Cemetery (approx. 1.2 miles away); Notable People & Plots (approx. 1.2 miles away); It All Began Here (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Braunfels.

Also see . . . The History of Gruene Historic District. Gruene Texas

Arriving in Texas in the mid 1840s, German farmers became the first settlers of what is now known as Gruene, Texas. Ernst Gruene, a German immigrant, and his bride Antoinette, had reached the newly established city of New Braunfels in 1845, but acreage was scarce. Thus, Ernst and his two sons purchased land just down river, and Ernst built the first home in Gruene in early fachwerk style. His second son, Henry D. Gruene, built his home (now Gruene Mansion Inn) and planted his surrounding land with cotton. Having become the number one cash crop, the cotton business soon brought 20 to 30 families to Henry D.'s lands.

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

The view of the Ernst and Antoinette Gruene House and Marker from across the street image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, November 9, 2022

2. The view of the Ernst and Antoinette Gruene House and Marker from across the street

Credits. This page was last revised on June 29, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 10, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 103 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 10, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.