National Register Listing

Comal Hotel and Klein-Kuse House

a.k.a. Prince Solms Inn;Eggeling Hotel

295 E. San Antonio and 165 Market St., New Braunfels, TX
Two buildings sited together on a single lot in the German community of New Braunfels, in central Texas, help document the town's residential and commercial architecture as well as certain prevalent socioeconomic patterns. The properties are the Comal Hotel (Prince Solms Inn) of 1900-1901, a good example of the town's commercial hotel architecture from the late Victorian era, and the Klein-Kuse House of ca. 1850-1852, a representative example of Settlement Architecture in New Braunfels, associated with its German pioneers. Here nominated together, the two properties can best be viewed as parts of a whole because of a variety of close relationships. They were owned by one German familial group-the Kuses and Eggelings--for almost a century, and together reflect the efforts of that social unit to sustain itself economically. In addition, both of the structures bear a locational linkage, since one (the house) was moved to accommodate the other (the hotel); the buildings also served complementary commercial functions in the family's primary vocational endeavor: the owner-managers lived in the house while running the nearby hotel. Because of their long-term ownership by the linked families of Wilhelm Kuse and Emilie Kuse Eggeling, the two structures embody certain traditional patterns found among Texas Germans of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Using the extended family as a social and economic system, the Kuse-Eggeling unit became prosperous German burghers in their small ethnic community. The properties are also interesting for their reflection of the entrepreneurial skills of Emilie Eggeling (1851-1930), who was the mainstay of her family during the 1895-1930 period.
Local significance of the building:
Commerce; European; Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1986.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

inns, hotels, motels
Texas is home to the world's largest bat colony. The Bracken Bat Cave, near San Antonio, is home to millions of Mexican free-tailed bats.
Texas random facts
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 glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped 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