Historical Markers in
Comal County, Texas

Adam Becker Homestead Agricultural Society of Fischer Anhalt Halle and the Germania Farmer Verein Arnold-Rauch-Brandt Homestead August and Karoline Tolle House August Dietz Cottage Bevenroth, Heinrich, Home (Early Settler's Home) Braschler House Breustedt House Breustedt Kitchen Carl Heinrich Guenther Carolina Schwab Grave Site Church Hill School Building Comal Community Comal County Comal County Courthouse Comal County Fair Comal County, C.S.A. Cypress Bend Park Dr. Theodore Koester Home Eiband and Fischer General Mercantile Emmie Seele Faust Memorial Library Erhardt Neuse House Ernst and Antoinette Gruene House Esser's Crossing at Wesson Faust Hotel Faust Street Bridge Ferdinand J. Lindheimer First Patented Wire Fence First Protestant Church First United Methodist Church Fischer Cemetery Fischer Homestead Fischer House Fischer Store German Pioneers in Texas Gruene Gruene Cotton Gin Gruene Mansion Gruene's Hall H. D. Gruene Mercantile Haag Cemetery Heimer Cemetery Heinrich Mordhorst Herman and Ada Knibbe Home Hermann Jonas Homestead Hermann Seele Hinmann House Home of Ferdinand Lindheimer Home of Ferdinand Lindheimer Home of George Wilkins Kendall Homesite of Johann and Gertruda Walzem International & Great Northern Railroad in New Braunfels Jacobs Creek School Teacherage Johann Michael Jahn John F. Torrey, Site of Early Mill and Factory Joseph Klein House Joseph Scheel House Junction of Two Important Rivers, the Guadalupe and the Comal Kneupper Chapel Koch Cemetery Landa Park Louis Henne Co. Main Plaza Bandstand Meriwether Milling Mill Street Telegraph Station Mission Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe Mission Valley School Natural Bridge Caverns Near River Crossing Used by New Braunfels' First Settlers New Braunfels New Braunfels New Braunfels 1918 Fire Station New Braunfels Academy New Braunfels Cemetery New Braunfels Post Office New Braunfels Schuetzen Verein New Braunfels Woolen Mill New Braunfels: County Seat of Comal County Old Carl W. Groos Home Old Krause Building Old Lex Homestead Old New Braunfels High School Old Schmidt Home Old Scholl House Original Gruene Mercantile Original Site of Mountain Valley School Pantermuel House Phoenix Saloon Plumeyer Bakery Building Posey Cemetery Richard E. and Ella Sodke Kloepper House Riley's Tavern Sattler Sattler Family Cemetery Sattler Post Office Schoenthal School Site of New Braunfels Academy Site of Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe Mission - Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission Site of Old Schmitz Hotel Slumber Falls Camp Smithson Valley Cemetery Sophienburg Hill Specht's Crossing Spring Branch Post Office St. Joseph's Cemetery Startzville Community Stephen Klein Home Texas Germans in the Civil War The Church of Saints Peter and Paul The Eggeling Hotel The Grotto, Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church The Hofheinz House The Moeller House The New Braunfels Herald The Voigt House The Wilhelm Weidner Homestead Ullrich Home Waisenhaus (Orphanage) Walzem Chapel Weidner, Wilhelm, Cemetery West End Park and Dance Hall Windwehen Home Wurstfest Zions Kirche
The Texas Rangers, a famous law enforcement agency, were first organized in 1835 to protect settlers from Native American attacks.
Comal County, located in the heart of Texas, has a rich and diverse history that dates back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Comanche and Lipan Apache, who relied on the land's abundant natural resources for survival. Spanish explorers arrived in the region in the 1700s, establishing missions and settlements.

In the early 19th century, German immigrants began to arrive, attracted by the fertile land and opportunities for a better life. These settlers established small farming communities and brought with them their language, traditions, and expertise in agriculture and craftsmanship. The town of New Braunfels was founded in 1845 by Prince Carl of Solms-Braunfels, becoming the first German colony in Texas.

The mid-19th century saw significant growth and development in Comal County, with the construction of schools, churches, and businesses. The area became known for its thriving agricultural industry, with farmers cultivating crops such as cotton and corn. The arrival of the railroad in the late 19th century further spurred economic growth and provided easier access to markets.

Throughout the 20th century, Comal County continued to evolve and adapt to changing times. The county's strong German heritage remained at the forefront, celebrated through events like Wurstfest, a German sausage festival. The tourism industry also grew, with visitors flocking to the county's natural attractions, such as the iconic Guadalupe River and historic Gruene Hall, Texas' oldest continually operating dance hall.

Today, Comal County is a vibrant and thriving community, blending its rich history with modern amenities and a strong sense of pride in its cultural heritage. With its beautiful landscapes, strong economy, and warm Southern hospitality, Comal County continues to be a desirable place to live and visit.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Comal County, Texas.

  • 1846 - Comal County established as one of the original 23 counties in the state of Texas
  • 1847 - Settlement begins in the area with the founding of New Braunfels
  • 1850 - Comal County's population reaches 2,013
  • 1861-1865 - County residents actively involved in the American Civil War
  • 1870 - Completion of the first railroad through Comal County
  • 1885 - Jacob's Well, a natural artesian spring, becomes a popular tourist attraction
  • 1920s - Economic growth in Comal County, driven by agriculture and manufacturing industries
  • 1941-1945 - County residents contribute to the war effort during World War II
  • 1968 - Canyon Lake, a reservoir on the Guadalupe River, is completed
  • 1990s - Rapid population growth and urban development in Comal County
  • 2007 - Construction begins on the controversial Trans-Texas Corridor project