Brief History Time Line –
New Braunfels,the last 160 years
1845 – Hermann Seele teaches the first school in an elm grove below Sophienburg Hill. The German Protestant Church is established as the first Protestant church.
1846 – Texas becomes a state of the United States. The Republic of Texas is no more and New Braunfels citizens are now Americans. Comal County is created by the legislature. The first Catholic mass is celebrated at what will later become the Sts. Peter and Paul Church.
1847 – The City of New Braunfels charter is ratified. Gustaf Hoffmann becomes the first mayor.
1852 – Dr. Ferdinand Lindheimer becomes the first editor of a New Braunfels German newspaper, “Neu Braunfelser Zeitung”
1861 – Texas secedes from the Union and becomes part of the Confederate States. Many local men are involved in the Civil War.
1862 – Major flooding occurs along the Comal.
1865 – The Civil War ends and Reconstruction brings slow industrial development of mills for flour, grist, textiles and power along the Comal River.
1869 – Unusual weather conditions cause floods and tornadoes over the next few years destroying much of the industries along the Comal. Floods occur in 1870, ’72, and ’79.
1880 – International and Great Northern Railroad built from Austin to San Antonio through New Braunfels. The depot site is where it remains today and was donated by the Turnverein (Athletic Club Hall).
1886 – The hurricane that destroys Indianola wrecks havoc with local businesses and homes.
1890 – Harry Landa brings electric lights to 150 citizens.
1892 – “New Braunfels Herald” begins publishing an English newspaper. The “Neu Braunfelser Zeitung” continues its German paper.
1893 – Comal County Fair Association organizes.
1895 – New Braunfels celebrates its 50th Anniversary with a huge parade with many floats.
1896 – The Southwestern Telephone and Telegraph Company complete lines between San Antonio and Austin through New Braunfels.
1898 – Landa Park opens to the public, beginning the tourist industry.
1916 – World War I begins and New Braunfels shows itself loyal to America in many ways, including loyalty parades and sale of war bonds. In the end, thirty-one men are killed.
1920 – New Braunfels celebrates its Diamond Jubilee with a two day celebration. There are parades both days as well as historical pageants, concerts and a street dance.
1944 – World War II begins and once again New Braunfels shows its patriotism with scrap metal drives, war bond sales, Red Cross activities and hundreds of men and women in the united services.
1946 – New Braunfels’ Centennial celebration is observed one year late due to the war.
1952 – Twelve to twenty inches of rain fall on the city causing evacuation of many areas along the Comal.
1957 – The “Neu Braunfelser Zeitung” and “New Braunfels Herald” merge into one newspaper.
1961 – Wurstfest is organized becoming a huge tourist attraction for the city.
1967 – New Braunfels adopts a Council/Management form of government.
1972 – A destructive flood takes the lives of 15, causing $15 million dollars damage.
1990 – Population growth reaches 27,334 with 51,832 in the county.
1995 – A huge Sesquicentennial celebration takes place in the city with a large parade, and many historical activities honoring the first pioneers.
2006 – The most recent census estimates the population at 49,969.
By Myra Lee Adams Goff
The Sophienburg
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