Lindheimer House
489 Comal Ave., New Braunfels, TXThe Ferdinand Lindheimer House in New Braunfels, Texas, was built about 1852 and is typical of the simple homes built by the highly educated German immigrants in Texas. It is reminiscent of the peasant cottages in the Rhineland and Alsace and is of fachwerk, the medieval building technique using a heavy timber frame with diagonal bracing in Texas customarily filled with limestone rubble and then stuccoed. The rear of this house has the fachwerk exposed. The Lindheimer House has the standard saltbox profile and absence of ornamental detail also typical of its type.
Lindheimer was born May 21, 1801, in Frankfort-on-Main, Germany. He is now known as "the Father of Texas Botany". He was a pupil of the Swiss-German educator Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi and specialized in medicine and botany at Bonn University. Later, he taught at the Bunsen School at Frankfort, where two of his more famous students were Johann David Passavant, a German art historian and painter, and Robert Wilhelm von Bunsen, inventor of the Bunsen burner.
In 1833 Lindheimer participated in the Frankfurter Putsch and was forced to flee to the United States. He spent the years from 1834 to 1836 visiting Princeton University, St. Louis, and Veracruz, Mexico. In 1836 he decided to join Texas forces in their fight against Mexico. During the revolution, he was stationed on Galveston Island as part of a Coast Guard unit.
After the war, Lindheimer began his botanical work in Texas. He used New Braunfels as a base and spent months traveling around the state. Eventually, he organized the plant life of Texas into a system, and today, his name is contained in the botanical titles of over thirty-two varieties of native flora.
In 1852 Lindheimer built a home in New Braunfels and began to publish a weekly newspaper, "Die Neu Braunfels Zeitung".
His home reflects his change of interest from botany to writing, for he incorporated a print shop into the rear of the structure. Lindheimer continued to edit and publish his paper until 1872. When he died on December 2, 1879, he left behind entomological collections in Madrid and St. Louis museums, and in university collections in the United States and abroad.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1967.
Lindheimer was born May 21, 1801, in Frankfort-on-Main, Germany. He is now known as "the Father of Texas Botany". He was a pupil of the Swiss-German educator Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi and specialized in medicine and botany at Bonn University. Later, he taught at the Bunsen School at Frankfort, where two of his more famous students were Johann David Passavant, a German art historian and painter, and Robert Wilhelm von Bunsen, inventor of the Bunsen burner.
In 1833 Lindheimer participated in the Frankfurter Putsch and was forced to flee to the United States. He spent the years from 1834 to 1836 visiting Princeton University, St. Louis, and Veracruz, Mexico. In 1836 he decided to join Texas forces in their fight against Mexico. During the revolution, he was stationed on Galveston Island as part of a Coast Guard unit.
After the war, Lindheimer began his botanical work in Texas. He used New Braunfels as a base and spent months traveling around the state. Eventually, he organized the plant life of Texas into a system, and today, his name is contained in the botanical titles of over thirty-two varieties of native flora.
In 1852 Lindheimer built a home in New Braunfels and began to publish a weekly newspaper, "Die Neu Braunfels Zeitung".
His home reflects his change of interest from botany to writing, for he incorporated a print shop into the rear of the structure. Lindheimer continued to edit and publish his paper until 1872. When he died on December 2, 1879, he left behind entomological collections in Madrid and St. Louis museums, and in university collections in the United States and abroad.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1967.
Bibliography
Texas State Historical Survey Committee.
Bracken, Dorothy Kendall. Early Texas Homes. Dallas, 1956.
Webb, Walter Prescott, ed. Handbook of Texas. Austin, 1952. Marker files.
Bracken, Dorothy Kendall. Early Texas Homes. Dallas, 1956.
Webb, Walter Prescott, ed. Handbook of Texas. Austin, 1952. Marker files.
Science; Architecture; Communications
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1970.
About National Register Listings
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.
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About Comal County
Comal County Timeline
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.
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.
Comal County Timeline
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