Boerne in Kendall County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Early Kendall County Jails

Photographed by Mansfieldphoto.com, November 8, 2025

1. Early Kendall County Jails Marker

Inscription. Due to financial strains caused by the Civil War, the newly created Kendall County (1862) paused plans to build a courthouse. In 1869, the court accepted a design by Phillip Zoeller (1818-1900) for a courthouse with internal jail facility to be built on land donated by Boerne founders, John James and Gustav Theisen. Stonemason Johann Franz Stendebach (1826-1890) contributed to both design and construction. In that same year, Stendebach also became sheriff, a position he held until 1878. For the next decade, Kendall County experienced economic prosperity, attracting more settlers. The larger population strained the existing court facilities by the mid-1870s, and county officials decided in 1876 to build a stand-alone jail again designed by Zoeller, on the courthouse grounds. The commissioners court accepted a bid of $2,375 from Thomas F. Cavanaugh & Co. while the building was under construction, new sheriff John Reinhard and others boarded prisoners.

The one-story stand-alone jail was completed in late 1878, but within a few months experienced a jailbreak. Once again, the sheriff and others boarded prisoners while the structure was improved to prevent another escape. The jail opened once more in late 1881. In 1883, Dr. Jacob West's report of the jail's unsanitary conditions laid the groundwork for calls to build a new facility. As Kendall County's population continued to grow, additional plans were passed to build a new structure, again on the courthouse grounds. The commissioners court accepted a bid from the Pauly Jail Building and Manufacturing Company for a new two-story jail. The 1887 jail utilized more sophisticated designs and building materials. Kendall County continued to utilize the 1887 structure as a jail for 99 years, until a new corrections facility was constructed in 1986.

Erected 2023

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by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 23810.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Law Enforcement. A significant historical year for this entry is 1869.

Location. 29° 47.679′ N, 98° 43.841′ W. Marker is in Boerne, Texas, in Kendall County. It is at the intersection of East San Antonio Avenue and Saunders Street, on the right when traveling west on East San Antonio Avenue. The marker is located in front of the old jail house. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 206 E San Antonio Ave, Boerne TX 78006, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Hill Country

and in the San Antonio Metropolitan Area.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Kendall County Courthouse (here, next to this marker); Kendall County (a few steps from this marker);

Photographed by Mansfieldphoto.com, November 8, 2025

2. Early Kendall County Jails Marker

Joseph Dienger Building (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); German Music in Boerne (about 600 feet away); Early Boerne Schoolhouses (about 600 feet away); Kuhlmann-King House (about 600 feet away); Henry J. Graham Building (about 600 feet away); Ye Kendall Inn (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Boerne.

More about this marker. April 26, 2025, the historical marker dedication was held for the Old Kendall County Jail.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 22, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 128 times since then and 88 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 22, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.