Brinkmann, Otto, House

Built in 1861, the Otto Brinkmann house exemplifies fachwerk construction, a traditional structural technique that German colonists brought to Texas in mid 19th century. In fackwerk or half-timbering, the void spaces were filled in with waddle and daub but this material was commonly used in areas of Texas closer to the coast. Contrary to this tradition, limestone was predominantly used in the Texas Hill country due to its abundance. Within a few years, this framing technique was no longer used because colonists discovered that limestone alone was substantial. In addition to its architectural significance, the structure was built by and was briefly the home of the talented local cabinet-maker and carpenter, Otto Brinkmann. Born in Hoexter, Westphalia, Germany August 15, 1832, Brinkman served his apprenticeship to a German cabinet-maker before coming to Texas in 1852. After emigrating in 1858 to the four-year-old rural German community of Comfort, Brinkman boarded with various residents until he began construction of a two-room fachwerk house in 1860. Upon its completion in 1861, the house served as the bachelor residence of Brinkman and his twin brothers who had recently arrived from Germany. During the Civil War, Brinkman built houses in Comfort, San Antonio, New Braunfels, and Brownsville. The Altgelt residence in San Antonio in the King William Historic District (Accepted to NR---Jan. 20,1972) is one of his notable examples. Brinkman conducted a mercantile business in Comfort with Christopher Flach from 1871 to 1880. From 1880 until he died in 1915 he managed the Comfort branch of the Ed Steves and Son lumber yard. As the carpenter and builder, Brinkman built this residence for his first home but lived in the house only a short time.

Brinkman sold the house to his brother Alex, in 1861, but bought the house again in 1866 just before his marriage to Marie Ochse. The young couple resided in the two-room cottage until 1868 when Brinkmann sold the house to his mother-in-law, Mrs. Auguste Ochse. Julius and Auguste Ochse had emigrated to Comfort in 1864. Although her husband died in 1872, Mrs. Ochse remained in the house for 36 years. During her occupancy, the house was enlarged to its present size. 

One of the oldest houses in Comfort, this fachwerk cottage has continued to serve as a private residence throughout the 20th century and has seen only minor alterations.