Near Spring Branch in Comal County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Specht's Crossing

Photographed by Richard Denney, September 5, 2011

1. Specht's Crossing Marker

Inscription. Area settlers in horse-drawn carriages used this gravel bed low water crossing of the San Antonio-Blanco Road to reach the German settlement of Spring Branch. Despite frequent floods, use of the crossing increased during the years (1875-1906) Spring Branch postmaster Hans (Von) Specht maintained the post office in his hilltop home overlooking the crossing. Thereafter known as Specht's Crossing, it was later used by automobile travelers until replaced by a low water bridge in 1920. In 1934 a new bridge was constructed by the Civil Works Administration.

Erected 1993 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 5006.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1920.

Location. 29° 52.925′ N, 98° 27.033′ W. Marker is near Spring Branch, Texas, in Comal County. It is at the intersection of Spring Branch Road and Old Spring Branch Road, on the right when traveling east on Spring Branch Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7200 Spring Branch Rd, Spring Branch TX 78070, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Hill Country

and in the San Antonio Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South.

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 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Adam Becker Homestead (approx. 0.9 miles away); Spring Branch Post Office

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(approx. 1.3 miles away); Herman and Ada Knibbe House (approx. 1½ miles away); Esser's Crossing at Wesson (approx. 4.6 miles away); Anhalt Halle and the Germania Farmer Verein (approx. 5 miles away); George Wilkins Kendall (approx. 7.4 miles away); Kendalia Community Church (approx. 7.6 miles away); The Engel Store (approx. 8.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spring Branch.

Marker in context image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Richard Denney, September 5, 2011

2. Marker in context

Spring Branch Road bridge over Guadalupe River in distance

Original Crossing image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Richard Denney

3. Original Crossing

The actual old crossing is a little ways downstream from the bridge ( lat/long 29.879965,-98.448186 ) shown here in this panorama from the other side of river (marker is on west bank; photo from east bank). Bridge is visible in distance, right side of photo.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 7, 2011, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,794 times since then and 67 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 7, 2011, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.