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Ludwig von Herrf, Dr. Ferdinand - Marker in/near Boerne
Photo Credit: Dietert Historical Archives - Patrick Heath Public Library (Boerne)	Ludwig von Herrf, Dr. Ferdinand Marker #14328 - 1982

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Idlewilde Lodge - Marker in/near Comfort

Photo Credit: U.S. Army

Marker #2615 - 1983   Built in 1902 of Texas long leaf yellow pine with cypress siding and millwork, this structure was first used as a spa by Dr. C. H. Wilkinson of Galveston. In 1906 the property was sold to E. Hugo, who operated "Camp Reliance" here until 1912 when Robert Wilke acquired the land and adopted the name "Camp Good Times". The building was bought by the YWCA in 1918 and served as the main lodge for "Camp Idlewilde", a girls' summer camp, for more than 60 years. (from Comfort, take FM 473 about 1.5 miles E - turn S onto road to lodge, about .5 mile to site)

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August Ebers House - Marker in/near Fredericksburg

Photo Credit: Dietert Historical Archives -
Patrick Heath Public Library (Boerne)

Marker #236 - 1983   Grapetown, TX

In 1860 August Ebers, a German immigrant, built the east portion of this stone house. It included a kitchen, a "big room", and an upstairs loft bedroom. Before 1880 he added the west wing. Ebers was killed in a well accident in 1884, and his family continued operating the farm. The home became a social center where community dances were held, and served as a polling place during elections. The home remained in the family until 1962. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1983 (from Comfort take Old State Road 9 fourteen miles to house in Bankersmith)

Two story rock, attached to an earlier 1 1/2 story rock with shallower roof pitch; end chimneys.

August Ebers, German immigrant, built the east portion of this large stone house. It included a kitchen, a "big room" and the upstairs loft bedroom. Before 1880 the west wing was added. Ebers was killed in a well accident in 1884 and his family continued operating the farm. The home became a social center where community dances were held and served as a polling place during elections. The home remained in the Ebers family until 1962 and from that time until 1980 when Stanley and Barbara Hammer bought it, it was unoccupied and unattended. It was sadly delapidated, but the Hammer's saw the beauty in the fine old building and have completely renovated and restored it to its former grandeur. In 1983 this house was designated as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark.

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August Faltin Building - Marker in/near Comfort

Marker #237 - 1982   Prussian native Friedrich August Faltin (1830-1905) moved to Comfort in 1856 and purchased the general merchandise business of Theodor Goldbeck, located at this site. Trained in his father's store, which had been established about 1818 in Danzig, Prussia, now Gdansk, Poland, Faltin became a leading merchant of the Texas Hill Country. In addition, his 1869 partnership with Capt. Charles Schreiner of Kerrville became the nucleus of the vast Schreiner enterprises. By the late 1870s Faltin's business, which included banking and post office services, had outgrown the structure at this site and he had architect Alfred Giles of San Antonio design a new building. Constructed by the noted builder J. H. Kampmann, the Victorian Italian edifice was completed in 1879. Later run by Faltin's sons Richard and August S., the business was sold in 1907 to their brother-in-law Dan Holekamp and his sons Otto and Edgar. That same year an addition to the building was completed. Also designed by Giles, it included second floor space for meetings and fraternal and civic groups. In 1968 the property was sold back to the Faltin family. The August Faltin Building remains as a symbol of the area's early commercial growth. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1982 (Main and Seventh, Comfort)

Original structure was two stories above a full basement. The main level served as a general store, the basement was the warehouse (with freight elevator), and the family lived on the second floor. A small 3 bay store designed by Alfred Giles in 1879. Tall segmented arched openings on first floor; two story gallery topped by pressed tin cornice & arched parapet. In 1907 Giles designed a long two story addition

 Prussian native, Frederick August Faltin, moved to Comfort in 1856 and purchased the general merchandise business from Theodore Goldbeck. By the late 1870s Faltin's business, which included banking and post office services, had outgrown the structure and he had architect Alfred Giles of San Antonio design a new building. Constructed by the noted builder J. H. Kampmann, the Victorian Italian edifice was completed in 1879.

Later run by Faltin's sons, Richard and August S., the business was sold in 1907 to their brother-in-law, Dan Holekamp, and his sons, Otto and Edgar. That same year an addition to the building was completed. Also designed by Giles, it included second floor space for meetings of fraternal and civic groups, school dances and receptions. In 1968 the property was sold back to the Faltin family.

In 1974, great grandson August restored the upstairs area into two aparments. Ray and Jan Weeks moved to Comfort in 1993 and live in one of the apartments and use the other apartment as a Bed and Breakfast.
The August Faltin building was designated Texas Historical Landmark in 1982.

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Kendall County Courthouse - Marker in/near Boerne

Photo Credit: Dietert Historical Archives -
Patrick Heath Public Library (Boerne)

Marker #2921 - 1970   First and only courthouse in county. Erected 1869-1870, seven years after county organization. Many locally prominent men were associated with the structure. The first county judge, Joseph Graham, was appointed U.S. Consul to Argentina. The first sheriff, Capt. John Sansom, was a member of the U.S. Army, a Texas Ranger and Indian fighter. S. B. Patton, former Alabama legislator, was elected second county judge. Early records reveal cases for horse theft, cattle rustling, illegal sale of liquor, assault. An addition was built in 1909, and structure was remodeled, 1954. (San Antonio and Watts Streets, east of Main Street, Boerne)

Kendall County was created in 1862 by the State of Texas in response to a petition by its area residents. The courthouse was built in Boerne, the county seat, in 1870. An entirely new front half was added in 1909 at a cost of $5,750. Alfred Giles was the architect. Mr. Alfred Giles was born May 23, 1853 in Middlesex County, England. He died August 13, 1920 at his ranch, "Hillingdon" near Comfort, Kendall County, Texas. He came to Texas in 1873. By 1876 he had established his own architectural firm in San Antonio. Giles became an architect of international fame doing many buildings in Mexico as well as in Texas. The back half of the courthouse was the original 1870 two- story structure that was rectangular in shape and was made of limestone blocks. In 1909 the courthouse was expanded on the South side which essentially doubled the size of the building. Alfred Giles was the architect for this project. Then the entire courthouse was remodeled in 1984. The block of land where the courthouse is located was given to Kendall County by John James, the public surveyor who surveyed the city of Boerne for Gus Theissen. Records show that Joseph Graham was the first County Judge of Kendall County. Captain John Sansom, an early Texas Ranger, was the first County Sheriff.

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Julius A. and Anna Phillip House - Marker in/near Boerne

Photo Credit: Dietert Historical Archives -
Patrick Heath Public Library (Boerne)

Marker #2888 - 1993   Built about 1900, this was the home of Kendall County Justice of the Peace and County Judge Julius A. Philip (1867-1935), his wife Anna (Meckel) (1867-1961), and their eight children. Originally built as a 4-room house, it was enlarged in the 1920s to accommodate the growing family, and the front porch was added in the 1930s. Prominent features of the house include board-and-batten siding, a gable roof, jigsawn porch brackets and turned wood frieze.

The one story house is typical "turn of the century," rural, framed board and batten; original L shaped with a gable at each end of the roof. The roof is composition shingle to the original fron section. The foundation is on cedar post, pier and beam construction. The windows are wood, single hung, 6 x 6 sash.

The house began as a four room house with a separate room in rear. Later two rooms and porch were added. 
The front porch is three sections wide with sawn wood brackets supporting spindles, with a unique gingerbread design of wooden stars framed in wooden hoops. The floor remains wooden.

At the time of purchase of the property, many postoak trees were on the land; however, little time was wasted putting in a field and garden. Hackerry trees were planted and still stand, giving lovely shade in the summer. A complete orchard of pear, plum, figs, apricots and grapes was planted and some still bear fruit.

This house was the home of Julius Phillip, pioneer and county judge of Kendall County and his wife, Anna (Meckel) Phillip also from a pioneer family. The house has been the residence of family members since it was built in 1900. Ella (Phillip) Massey lived here rearing her four children and until her death, then her grand- daughter, Cary Crea became the owner.

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Ludwig Hein Home - Marker in/near Comfort

Photo Credit: Bryden Moon

Marker #3145 - 1987   Ludwig Hein (1855-1933) came to Texas from Germany in 1877. He married Rosa Treiber of Waring and built this home for his family before 1900. Hein operated a blacksmith shop next door until the family moved to San Antonio in 1914. The home was known as the "nerve center" of Comfort when the local telephone switchboard was housed here from 1923 to 1955. Features of the Victorian house include its front bay window and bracketed porch supports.

Ludwig Hein was born in Steinhoefel Kreise Friedeberg, Berlin on October 9, 1955. In 1877, at age 22 he immigrated to the United States via the Port of New Orleans, and crossed country until he reached Waring, Texas.
Ludwig, from a family of 11 children, was joined in this country five years later by the passage of his parents, Henry and Ottilie Hein to Waring, Texas. In Waring, Ludwig met and married Rosa Treiber. Rosa was born August 19, 1867 in Burgenland, Austria. She, too, had immigrated to this country. On January 8, 1890, Ludwig Hein purchased Lot 93 in the township of Comfort from Achese Auguste for the sum of $150.
The Hein house, built before 1900, served as the home for the Hein's when Ludwig had a blacksmith shop next door. Six children were born to Ludwig and Rosa.
Son, Frederick, remembers how hard his father, Ludwig, worked in the tin blacksmith shop which adjoined their home directly on the southside. There were many horses to shoe as well as difficult wheel rims to mend.
In 1914, Ludwig moved his family to San Antonio so that his younger children might attend school there.
On April 19, 1923, Southwestern Bell moved the local switchboard from the Koblin Building to 727 High Street. Miss Augusta Allerkamp was in charge with 340 local and rural lines coming into the Comfort switchboard.
In 1925 Mrs. Grace Martin assumed management of the switchboard. The main switchboard was located in the front room while the remainder of the home served as Mrs. Martin's living quarters. The dining room of the home also served as one of the first lending libraries of the town, when in January, 1941, Mrs. Martin begin keeping the library books.

In 1947 Zahn Green purchased the Comfort and Center Point Exchanges which operated as Hill Country Telephone Company. With the advent of the dial system, Green sold out in 1955 to Hill Country Telephone, ending a 32 year era of Comfort's History.

The simple frame home was typical of those built in Comfort at the Turn of the Century as indicated by the porch columns, brackets and exposed rafter. The back portion of the house was added to the original structure before 1936.
The house was given a Historic Marker in 1987.

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Homesite of Albert Paul Kutzer - Marker in/near Boerne

Photo Credit: Bryden Moon

Marker #2544 - 1986   A native of Kendall County, Albert Paul Kutzer (1871-1925) was the eldest son of German immigrants Reinhold and Pauline (Holzinger) Kutzer. A merchant and gin operator, he became one of Boerne's leading businessman. He also served as mayor from 1915 to 1920, school board president, and organizer of the Old Boerne Commercial Club. Through his public service, he was instrumental in Boerne's early growth. Kutzer and his wife, Lucie Henrietta (Schwethelm) (d. 1965), had their family home here from 1895 to 1923 in a house built for his parents in 1890.

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Staffel Family and the Staffel Store - Marker in/near Boerne

Photo Credit: Dietert Historical Archives -
Patrick Heath Public Library (Boerne)

Marker #12546 - 2001   334 S. Main in Boerne
German immigrant August Staffel arrived in Texas in 1852 and in due course made his way to Boerne, where he purchased property at this site in 1854. When Boerne was granted a postal station in 1856, Staffel served as first postmaster and housed the post office on his property. Staffel's other businesses included the Staffel store, stagecoach office, saloon, livery stable and wagon yard. After August's death in 1870, his wife, Bertha, operated the post office out of the Staffel store until 1881 and sold the property in 1905. Reminders of early economic development in Boerne, the Staffel store and the Staffel family played a significant role in that heritage. (2001)

The Staffel Building stands on Lot #30 of the divisions of the original survey No. 180 in the town of Boerne. On 27 April 1854 Gustav Theisen sold 1/2 interest in Lot #30 to August Staffel. Also on that date John James sold his half interest in Lot #30 to August Staffel. The property was bequeathed to his wife, Kunigunda Bertha Staffel, daughter of Joseph Dienger.

This building served as an office for the Staffel livery stable and probably for the postoffice which August Staffel kept. He was appointed Boerne's first postmaster in June 18, 1856 and served for ten years. His wife, Bertha, was postmaster after his death from 1870 until 1881 and sold the property in 1905. This was Boerne's first telegraph office in 1875. In the rear with the stable there was a stagecoach office.

Mrs. Edna Miller, a widow, purchased the building in 1916. In 1936 its ownership went to Radcliff Spencer. In the latter half of the twentieth century, the building was occupied by Malner Shumard as a law office and title company. The property passed to the heirs of Mr. Radcliff Spencer. These two, Dorothy Spencer Traylor and George Spencer, obtained the Historical Marker in 2002 for the building known as the Staffel Building.

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George Wilkins Kendall - Marker in/near Boerne
Photo Credit: Dietert Historical Archives - Patrick Heath Public Library (Boerne)	Marker #2169 - George Wilkins Kendall (1809–1867) was a journalist, war correspondent, and pioneer Texas sheepman, known as the father of the Texas sheep business. Kendall County, Texas is named for him. Kendall was given a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1989, Marker number 2169. (Northwest corner of cemetery at stone wall, school Street and Main, Boerne) More info and Map Link

Early Boerne Schoolhouses - Marker in/near Boerne

Photo Credit: Dietert Historical Archives -
Patrick Heath Public Library (Boerne)

Marker #1337 - 1986   The origins of public schools in Boerne date to 1873, when the Boerne Gesangenverein donated land on which to erect a schoolhouse. A two-room stone building was completed in 1874 and served children in all grades. A small frame building was added to the property around the turn of the century, and the upper and lower grades were separated. In 1910 a new two-story stone school was built. It served students of all ages until a high school was built on Johns Road in 1929. The 1910 building was sold to the City of Boerne Utilities in 1951. Texas Sesquicentennial 1836-1986 (At city hall 402 E. Blanco)

On September 15, 1871, the Boerne Gesangenverein purchased Boerne Lots 119 and 120 of the Kuhlmann and Ryan Addition. On Jun 17, 1873, the Gesangenverein, at a regular meeting, resolved that they donate lots 119 and 120 to the Boerne School Society provided and on the condition that the Boerne School Society will within one year build a schoolhouse with at least two rooms. On August 18, 1874, the Gesangenverein resolved that whereas the Boerne School Society had completed a two room schoolhouse on Lots 119 and 120 by June 17, 1874, that they be granted the deed to the two lots, "in consideration of the benefit accruing to us and our children from the establishment of an institute of learning in the Town of Boerne." This, then, was the beginning of the first official public school in Boerne. This building was used as classrooms, a lunch room, exercise room at various times while a school. It became a workshop and storage area, then finally, offices for the city after the property was purchased for the City Utilities.

 One story stone rubble, symmetrical with porch across front, chimneys at both ends, 2 over 2 windows, two doors at front and back, large stone lintels, no sills.

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Comfort Community Theatre - Marker in/near Comfort

Photo Credit: Bryden Moon

Marker #999 - 1983   The need for a permanent civic center led Comfort business leaders to form a corporation to raise funds for its construction. Designed by Fredericksburg architect Hans Christiansen, the Comfort Community Theatre opened in 1930, providing the town with facilities for basketball, dances, civic meetings, stage plays, and private parties. It was later used as a movie theatre and enjoyed much success under the ownership of Hank Zimmerman from 1947 until 1964. The Comfort Community Theatre continues today as a performing arts center as well as a civic meeting hall. Incise on base: Purchased and restored by Richard and Dorothy Britt. (1983)

Business leaders formed a corporation to build a civic center to provide facilities for basketball, dances, plays; then a movie house. Marker was spearheaded by Dorothy and Richart Britt. Designated Texas Historical Landmark in 1984.

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Nicolaus Zink - Marker in/near Boerne

Photo Credit: Janis and Ted Maxymof

Marker #3595 - 1984   In 1844, Bavarian-born civil engineer Nicolaus Zink (1812-1887) was selected to lead a group of German immigrants overseas to establish settlements on a Texas land grant. This colonization effort was headed by Prince Carl of Solms-Braunfels and financed by a German corporation known as the Mainzer Adelsverein. Upon arrival in Texas in late 1844, Zink realized that the grant to be settled by the colonists was in the heart of Comanche Indian territory. He persuaded Prince Solms to settle at an alternate site, which became the town of New Braunfels. Zink's leadership in the face of unrest, disease, starvation, and monetary problems was vital to the survival of the colony. He eventually was responsible for the supervision of about one-half of the German immigrants bound for New Braunfels. After 1847, Zink built homes in a variety of places, including Sisterdale, Comfort, and an area south of Fredericksburg. In 1868, he acquired this property and built the central portion of the limestone house southeast of this site. He later gave land for and helped engineer the San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railroad bed to Kerrville. Zink lived here until his death and is buried in an unmarked grave near this site. (at gate of Don Strange Ranch - from Boerne take IH-10 5 miles N to Welfare Road -  continue on Welfare Road N about 3 miles to ranch)

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James House - Marker in/near Boerne

Photo Credit: Dietert Historical Archives -
Patrick Heath Public Library (Boerne)

Marker #2726 -    This two-story limestone house is believed to have been built about 1880 by Ives Brown for Ichabod and Alice Kingsbury. In 1925 it was purchased by Maria (Williams) James (1859-1940), the pioneer surveyor and early community leader who platted the town of Boerne in 1852. Named `Puccoon` by Maria for her ancestral home in Hanover County, Virginia, the residence remained in her family following her death. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1982

Records show that John Small originally owned the land where the house is now located. In 1853 his heir, Martha A. Solomon and her husband Alexander, sold 1280 acres to Dr. W.G Kingsbury for $300.00. Dr. Kingsbury in turn sold a part of the land to William Kernaghan. William Dietert acquired the Dietert Addition acreage in 1874 and town lots No. 3 and 6 were sold to Ichabod and Alice V. Kingsbury in 1879.

In 1891 the property was purchased by Bertha Biessner who later married H. H. McFarland. The McFarland heirs sold the house to Mrs. John H. James in 1925. She bought it to replace a summer home in Comfort that she and her late husband previously owned. (Judge John James was the son of John James, a well known land dealer who with Gus Theissen, platted and surveyed the city of Boerne in 1852 and later gave the Main Plaza and courthouse land to boerne and Kendall County)

The beautiful old house which was built around 1880 has been known variously as the Kingsbury-Biessner home, the Kingsbury Place, the McFarland Home and now the James House is presently owned by Maria M. Sykes, a great-grand- daughter of John James, the great frontier surveyor and businessman who contributed so much to the early development of Boerne.

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Potter, Chaplain A.J. - Marker in/near Boerne
Photo Credit: Dietert Historical Archives - Patrick Heath Public Library (Boerne)	Marker #14825 - 1962 (1830 - 1895) Born in Missouri. Orphaned at age 10, was a jockey, gambler, ruffian. Fought in Mexican War, 1846-47. Was a Texas Ranger later. Converted in a camp meeting, he learned to write and became a Methodist minister. Served 4 years in the Confederacy. THC Marker is no longer available (removed prior to 1992 and never replaced.) More info and Map Link

Paul Ingenhuett Home - Marker in/near Comfort

Photo Credit: Col. Bettie Edmonds

Marker #3956 - 1979   Young Paul Ingenhuett (b. 1868), born on this block, succeeded his father Peter Joseph in the mercantile business. Soon Paul expanded into farming, sheep and cattle ranching, and helped found Comfort State Bank. In 1891 he married Ida Emma Sophie Flach and they had four children. After noted architect Alfred Giles designed several Comfort buildings, the Ingenhuetts employed him in 1897 to draw plans for this home. The limestone was quarried on family property.

One story "H" shaped native limestone quarried locally.

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Ye Kendall Inn - Marker in/near Boerne

Photo Credit: Dietert Historical Archives -
Patrick Heath Public Library (Boerne)

Marker #5925 - 1962   The center section of this vernacular Greek revival structure was built in 1859 as a home for Erastus and Sarah Reed, who had come to Boerne from Georgia. Under later occupants, the home often served as lodging for those traveling through the area. In 1878 owners C. J. Roundtree and W. L. Wadsworth expanded the building, which they named the Boerne Hotel, to accommodate visitors attracted to the area by its healthful climate. A later owner, Dr. H.J. Barnitz, adopted the name "Ye Kendall Inn" in 1909. The inn features a 2-story gallery and a wide symmetrical facade.
 Situated a block off main street in Boerne is the charming old Kendall Inn that has been visited through the years by stagecoach passengers and twentieth-century celebrities. Its history began April 23, 1859, when John James and Gus Theissen sold the land on which it stands to Erastus and Sarah Reed for the sum of only $200. The Reeds had come to Boerne from Georgia, and with them they brought the Southern Colonial style of architecture and built the center section of the inn.

As the town had been founded only ten years previously, there was no regular establishment for the shelter of the traveler. However,the hearts of the few home owners were large and it became the custom for any home owner with a spare room to care for the transient guest, sometimes for pay, sometimes not. Whether or not the Reeds offered their hospitality for pay is not known, but is is believed that they did. Eventually, the place was designated as the Reed House.

The Reeds later leased the property to Henry W. Chipman. On a paying basis, he accommodated horsemen and occasional stagecoach passengers. He then opened the grounds as a wagon yard for the convenience of the surrounding ranchers who penned their cattle in what is now the city park, awaiting other cattle for a big drive up the trail.

On May 4, 1869, Colonel Henry C. King and his wife Jean Adams King, purchased the inn from the Reeds. Colonel King was a jovial man who made a host of friends. Campaigning successfully for the office of State Senator, he covered his district on horseback. While on these campaign trips, which sometimes lasted for weeks, the operation of the King Place was left to his wife. After serving one term as senator, at which time the present state constitution was written and adopted, he ran for the office of Governor, but was defeated. Later, motivated by the urge to venture into newspaper work, Henry King returned to San Antonio.

By 1878, Boerne had become famous as a resort. In that year, C.J.Rountree and W. L. Wadsworth of Dallas purchased the "King Place" and renamed it the Boerne Hotel. As visitors began flocking to the town to take advantage of the hearlthful dry climate, the hotel expanded. So great was the demand for accommodations, two long wings were added on either side of the portion built by the Reeds. It is believed that at this time the present kitchen wing was also added.

Six years later, James T. Clarke became the proprietor of the inn. For a while he was the agent for the state line that came through Boerne. It was at this time that the Boerne Hotel was truly an authentic Stagecoach Inn.

In 1882, Mr. Edmund King and his wife, Selina L. King, and children came to Boerne from England and leased the Boerne Hotel. Mr. King was killed in a hunting accident in back of the hotel on September 26,1882.

In 1909, Dr. H. J. Barnitz, a prominent San Antonio physician, adopted the name "Ye Kendall Inn" [for the hotel]The name was a tribute to George W. Kendall, eminent journalist, who was ressponsible for bringing the first sheep to the Hill Country and for whom Kendall County was named.

From 1922 to 1943, Kendall Inn was owned by Robert L. and Maude M.Hickman. It was during their ownership that many steps toward modernization took placed athe famous old inn. One of the most important was the installation of privatebaths.

Hickman had learned the hotel business while working for his father at the popular old Southern Hotel in San Antonio. Along with the Prince Solms colonists, he was civic minded; for it was during his term as mayor that the city installed the swimming pool that is immediately adjacent to the dining porch of the inn.

Through the years Kendall Inn has served as a gathering place for frontier lawmen, army personnel, cattle drovers, and many celebrities.

Mrs. William T. Grinnan purchased Kendall Inn in 1960 and lived there with her three sons. The property was sold to Ed and Vicki Schleyer in April 1982. Two years of extensive restoration brought back the historic beauty of the hardwood floor, original fireplaces,molding mantels and the 200 foot front porch with railing and columns."

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Faltin Homestead - Marker in/near Comfort

Photo Credit: Dietert Historical Archives -
Patrick Heath Public Library (Boerne)

Marker #1564 - 1962   German native Theodor Georg Ludwig Goldbeck constructed the original part of this home in 1854, the same year the town of Comfort was founded. In 1856 he sold the house and his mercantile business to Friedrich August Faltin, a merchant who had recently migrated from Prussia. Additions to the residence, completed during his ownership, reflect German influences of pioneer building techniques. For over 125 years it has remained in the Faltin family. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1981 (Main and Seventh Street, Comfort)

Certainly one of the oldest dwellings in its original location in Comfort, this cabin was built by Fritz and Theodore Goldbeck in 1854. The Goldbeck's operated Comfort's first mercantile store. Fritz also wrote poetry about the early life of German pioneers in Texas and published them as "Seit Funfzig Jahren" ("Since Fifty Years").

In 1856 August F. Faltin, with his wife, Clara Below, bought the cabin from the Goldbeck's when the brothers wanted to return to San Antonio. The log portion was extended with the fachwerk addition. The cabin has been restored by August Faltin III, a great- grandson of the 1856 immigrant. The August Faltin House was designated Texas Historical Landmark in 1981.

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Otto Brinkmann House - Marker in/near Comfort

Photo Credit: Dietert Historical Archives -
Patrick Heath Public Library (Boerne)

Marker #3882 - 1976   The cottage was built in 1860 by German-born Otto Brinkmann (1832-1915), who lived here with his brothers until he married Marie Johanne Ochse in 1867. The half-timbered walls filled with native stone display the "fachwerk" technique introduced in Texas by German immigrants. The structure was enlarged in 1879, when the owner was Brinkmann's mother-in-law, Mrs. Julius Ochse. The house was purchased in 1973 and restored by Mr. and Mrs. William E. Parrish. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1976

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Beseler Family - Marker in/near Welfare

Photo Credit: Col. Bettie Edmonds

Marker #382 - 1996   Carl Joseph and Augusta Beseler and their two sons immigrated from Germany to Texas in 1848. They settled in Kendall County on a land grant in the 1850s. The community of Welfare was established on the Beseler land grant. The Beselers' son Ernst died in the Battle of Nueces. His brother Carl Philipp was instrumental in building Welfare into a railroad shipping point in the 1880s. Carl Philipp served as justice of the peace, postmaster, county commissioner, and tax assessor. The general store is among the few physical remnants of the community of Welfare. (1996)

One story board and batten with central double door and flanking 4x4 windows; elevated rock base entry with porch roof; T-shaped with living quarters to the rear.

The railroad tracks were laid in 1886 passing this rural area. This building was built in 1889 being used as the Welfare post office. By 1890 it became the local store. The building burned down and was then re-built in 1916. Before the building was re-built Mrs. Magers ran the post office from a room in the house. From the early 1920s to the 1970s, Percy and Alma Laas lived in the attached house and operated the post office and the store. In 1960 the railroad tracks were removed and the new Interstate Highway #10 by-passed Welfare. Eventually, in 1976, the post office was closed.

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Boerne Cemetery - Marker in/near Boerne

Marker #445 - 1986   When Adam Vogt (1822-1882) deeded land for this cemetery to the city in 1867, there were already some graves present. The earliest documented burial, that of Anton Peter Loth, dates to 1862. In the older sections of the cemetery are graves of area pioneers and German immigrants, including Vogt and George Wilkins Kendall (1809-1867), for whom the county was named. A row of paupers' graves may also be seen. Land acquisitions over the years have increased the size of the graveyard. Boerne Cemetery serves as a reflection of the area's rich history.

Texas Sesquicentennial 1836-1986
Boerne Cemetery
Established 1867
Historic Texas Cemetery - 2000at main gate of Boerne Cemetery, north side of Boerne on School Street, just of North Main (US 87)

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Rice Home - Marker in/near Comfort

Photo Credit: Col. Bettie Edmonds

Marker #15626 - 1965   There are three buildings on this complex. The first was a two room log cabin. Using trees growing on nearby Cypress Creek, the log portion of this house was built in 1857 by Emil Serger a master cabinet maker. He was soon joined by his friend, Paul Hanisch, a pharmacist. Two rooms were added to house the first pharmacy in Comfort.

Mr. Hanisch married and moved, then Mr. Serger married, making a larger house a necessity. The two story "Sunday House" was built between 1870 and 1885. The three parts were connected with hallways or breezeways. There is a one story gallery across the front.

Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Rice, interim owners, were commended by the San Antonio Conservation Society for their restoration of the property. The next owners were Mr and Mrs. John T. Steen. This house was designated a Recorded Texas Historical Landmark in 1965.

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Treue Der Union (Loyalty to the Union) - Marker in/near Comfort

Photo Credit: Dietert Historical Archives -
Patrick Heath Public Library (Boerne)

Marker #15 - 1968   This German language monument, erected 1866, honors the memory of 68 men (mostly Germans) from this region who were loyal to the Union during the Civil War. Trying desperately to reach U.S. Federal troops by way of Mexico, about 40 of the men were killed by vengeful Confederates bent on annihilating them, in the Battle of the Nueces (on Aug. 10, 1862) and a later fight (Oct. 18). The bodies of the slain and those who drowned swimming the Rio Grande were left unburied. A group of Germans gathered the bones of their friends and buried them at this site in 1865.(between 2nd and 3rd Streets, High Street, between 2nd and 3rd, Comfort)

This monument in Comfort, Texas honors the memory of the sixty-eight men from this region who were loyal to the Union during the Civil War. They tried to escape into Mexico so that they could join the Union Army. They were ambushed and killed near the Nueces River. Their bones were recovered, except for those who drowned in the Rio Grande River, and buried at this site in 1865.

KILLED 18 October 1862 at the RIO GRANDE RIVER:
Joseph Elstner
Edward Felsing
H Herrmann
V. Hohmann
Moritz Weiss
Peter Bonnet, Comfort
Frank Weiss
Fritz Lange, Comfort


KILLED 10 August 1862 at the NUECES RIVER:
Ludwig Bauer
F. Behrens
Ernst Beseler
Louis Boerner, Comfort
Albert Bruns
Hugo Degener
Hilmar Degener
Pablo Diaz
F. Vater
Emil Schreiner, Kerrville
J.H.Kallenberg, Fredericksburg
H. Markwardt, Sisterdale
C. Schaefer
Louis Schierholz
Heinrich Steves, Comfort
Wilhelm Telgmann
M Weyrich
H. Weyershausen
A. Vater
CAPTURED AND MURDERED
H. Flick
C. Bock
F. Tays
Theo. Bruckisch
Wilhelm Boerner, Comfort
A. Luckenbach, Fredericksburg
A. Ruebsamen
L. Ruebsamen
Heinrich Stieler, Comfort

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Karger Building - Marker in/near Comfort

Photo Credit: Bryden Moon

Marker #15936 - 2009   Ernst Karger (1861-1922), who owned and operated a saloon on the adjoining property, had this building constructed in 1913. Fritz Anderwald’s pool hall was first to occupy the building, and several other businesses have been located here over the years. Fred Koerlin operated a cabinetry business here after 1951, removing the original storefront and installing garage doors; the façade was later restored. The frame building features a recessed storefront with large pane windows. George L. Mesker & Co. of Evansville, Indiana manufactured the building’s decorative pressed metal façade, pediment and siding. (725 High Street)

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Hygieostatic Bat Roost - Marker in/near Comfort

Photo Credit: Dietert Historical Archives -
Patrick Heath Public Library (Boerne)

Marker #2608 - 1981   This shingle style structure was built in 1918 to attract and house bats in an effort to eradicate mosquitoes and thereby reduce the spread of malaria. It was designed for Albert Steves, Sr., a former mayor of San Antonio, by Dr. Charles A. R. Campbell, an authority on bats who had served as the health officer in the same city. Named "Hygeiostatic" by Steves, the bat roost is one of 16 constructed in the United States and Italy between 1907 and 1929. (from Comfort take FM 473 about 1.5 miles E - bat roost is about 400 feet S of the highway)

This is a pyramidal 30 foot tower raised on concrete piers; clad with shingles; elongated louvred dormer. This bat tower was built in 1918 for Albert Steves, a San Antonio businessman and mayor. It was designed by Charles A. R. Campbell. The purpose was to control mosquito-borne malaria w

Ludwig von Herrf, Dr. Ferdinand