New Braunfels Conservation Society

06/11/2026

Wow this is a great photo from a bakery right here in New Braunfels!

Alvin C. Plumeyer, second from left, in his bakery in New Braunfels, 1913. The bakery was located at 239 W. San Antonio in New Braunfels, a building that still stands. Alvin lived on the second floor with his wife, Helena. He owned the bakery until 1926. Interestingly, the building was built for Alvin by his sister, Kathinka Clemens. Don't you just KNOW they made a great Apfelstrudel and a great Mohnschnecken here? I can almost smell it!

Courtesy the The Portal to Texas History

06/10/2026

Speaking of Ferdinand Lindheimer, here's a photo of his house in New Braunfels. Lindheimer built this timber-framed house in 1852, in the saltbox style, with the roof at the back of his house sloping lower than the roof at the front of the house. Stucco completely covers the fachwerk on three sides of Lindheimer's house, but leaves it exposed in the back. This is actually a popular architecture style in New England and the Germans used it here. Rather than a full second story, Lindheimer's house has a loft for the second story. A centralized chimney heats the home.

The front of the house has two transomed, paneled doors. In 1853, Lindheimer became the editor of the Die Neu Braunfels Zeitung, and published it out of this house for the next two decades, converting the back into a print shop. Of course, that was after he had traipsed around south Texas for 15 or so years, collected more than 1500 species of plants, and became the famed Father of Texas Botany. I guess when he reached the age of 53 he decided to give that up, settle down, and started the newspaper.

The operates the house as a museum and you can visit it by making arrangements with them.

But, yeah, built in 1852 and still standing 174 years later. How cool is that?

06/09/2026

We were honored to receive an award from the New Braunfels Garden Council. The Garden at Lindheimer Haus is so beautiful thanks to the Comal Master Gardener Association. They are the ones who tirelessly care for this beautiful garden. Thank you to everyone who nominated and who works on this garden. It is truly a special place.

06/03/2026

We have a new donation! The Fischer family has donated a really cool ladder that was originally in the Eiband and Fischer Store in New Braunfels. This ladder is over 13 ft tall and would help to reach the top shelves of the store. The mercantile successfully sold groceries, piece goods, clothing, china, crystal, farm machinery, feed and seed to local citizens, farmers and ranchers. IN 1947 IT BURNED TO THE GROUND!
Ammunition and fi****ms stored in the basement reportedly began exploding during the fire, creating a tremendous racket heard across town. One firefighter, Ernst Alves, was killed while battling the blaze.
An annex building across the courtyard survived and continued operating as the store until 1959, and later became NBU headquarters.
The burned-out basement later became the famous Wurstfest “Hole in the Ground” site from 1963–1966 before eventually being filled and converted to what was the parking area of the old New Braunfels Utilities building.

05/30/2026

Interesting map of German Settlements. New Braunfels should have been green. 😃

Here's a handy map of German settlement in Texas. It's pretty interesting to look at. I guess I never realized that Dallas county and McClennan county were such huge German destinations. I'm surprised Comal county isn't solid green, being that New Braunfels is there.

05/27/2026

Thank you thank you thank you! We are so greatful for everyone who has made this year's Barn Sale and Artisan Market a success! We had so many people who worked so hard to make this a great sale. Thank you to the vendors, volunteers, shoppers, donators, and everyone else who had a hand in making the sale successful. We could not have done it without you!! 💜💜

05/25/2026