Near New Braunfels in Guadalupe County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Site of Dietz Community
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 28, 2014
1. Site of Dietz Community Marker
In 1851 Jamaica native Jacob De Cordova (1808-1868) settled here. He selected this spot for its beauty, rich soil and nearby springs. He built his first home, "Wanderer's Retreat." It served as a stage stop on the San Antonio Road and as a mail delivery station. De Cordova, acting as a land agent, sold over 90,000 acres of Texas land including this site. Nine German bachelors purchased the property and it became known as "Bachelor's Hall" and "Nine Men's House." Two brothers, Ferdinand Michael and J. August Dietz, cowboys for De Cordova, bought out the other men and the community became "Dietz." Johann Phillip Stautzenberger (1838-1904) bought the land in 1861, built a substantial house and general store, and became the first postmaster.
Formal education began in a small room adjacent to Stautzenberger's store with Frankfort School starting later. "The Frohsinn Maennerchor," a singing group, was organized in the schoolhouse. Later they adopted the present name of "Frohsinn Mixed Chorus of Clear Springs." In 1895 a group of farmers founded present-day Friedens Church in the school building.
Consolidation of the schools, closing of the post office, and good roads and automobiles caused this early community to disappear.
Erected 1978 by Texas Historical Commission.
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1851.
Location. 29° 39.3′ N, 98° 2.689′ W. Marker is near New Braunfels, Texas, in Guadalupe County. Marker is on State Highway 46, 0.1 miles south of Center Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located in a pull-out on the east side of the highway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2627 Texas State Highway 46, New Braunfels TX 78130, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Clear Spring Hall and Store (approx. 1.8 miles away); Schumannsville Cemetery (approx. 1.8 miles away); Altwein Family (approx. 2 miles away); Friedens Church (approx. 2.7 miles away); Lone Oak Cemetery (approx. 2.7 miles away); Blumberg Cemetery (approx. 2.9 miles away); Jauer Family Cemetery (approx. 3 miles away); Comal County (approx. 4.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Braunfels.
Also see . . . Dietz, Texas.
Dietz was on State Highway 46 eight miles northwest of Seguin in Guadalupe County. The land was part of the 1831 Esnaurizar land grant of eleven leagues. Jacob de Cordova, land agent, author, and entrepreneur, settled in the area in 1851. By the 1870s the citizens of Dietz had built a two-room schoolhouse and
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 28, 2014
2. Site of Dietz Community Marker (wide view)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 28, 2014
3. Dietz Community Site Today
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 28, 2014
4. Dietz Community Site Today
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 28, 2014
5. Dietz Community Site Today
Credits. This page was last revised on November 8, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 10, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 642 times since then and 101 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 10, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
