History of New Braunfels
New Braunfels’ Historic Heritage
In 1845, Prince Carl of Solms-Braunfels founded
New Braunfels. In German, “Braunfels” means
“Brown Rock.” Within the first ten years of
settlement, the immigrants in New Braunfels
set up manufacturing centers for wagons, farm
implements, leather goods, furniture, and clothing.
They sold these articles to the pioneers settling
throughout the Texas Hill Country. In 1850, New
Braunfels was the fourth largest city in Texas,
following Galveston, San Antonio, and Houston. In
1852 the newspaper was started with Ferdinand
Lindheimer, famous Texas botanist, as the editor.
such local taxation was provided throughout Texas
by the Constitution of 1876.
Spring Fed Pool
circa 1936
In the 20th century, New Braunfels experienced
rapid growth partially because of the tourism
industry. By this time the Comal and Guadalupe
Rivers were within the city limits and much of the
land along the banks was open for public use.
The recreational uses of the rivers for fishing and
tubing not only attracted visitors but also business
owners who opened restaurants and hotels. The
completion of Interstate 35 in the decades after
World War II only fueled the growth of tourism in
New Braunfels, and tourism is still profitable in the
community today.
Early on in the foundation of the city, the churches
started schools, and then combined to form a city
school, finally leading to a district system in 1858.
The New Braunfels Academy was the first school.
That year, citizens decided to impose a tax to
support the public school; this was 18 years before
The 2010 New Braunfels Strategic Parks and Recreation Master Plan
Page 2.1
History of New Braunfels
New Braunfels’ Heritage of
Parks
Residents and visitors of New Braunfels have
always enjoyed the natural resources that create
the parks. For example, when Landa Park was still
private property in the late 1800s, the landowner,
Joseph Landa, allowed people to come onto his
property for picnicking and other recreational
activities. Even before the land was bought by the
city and designated as public property, people were
using it as a park. Visitors would come from San
Antonio and Austin just to spend the day at what
was then called Landa Pasture and the beautiful
rivers. Not much has changed in the last 100
years. People still come to New Braunfels just to
spend the day at the parks, and many residents
move to New Braunfels because of how beautiful
the parks make the city.
Page 2.2
Our Parks - Our Heritage, Our Future
History of New Braunfels
Image and Unique Physical
Features – A Beautiful Setting
New Braunfels is one of the best known communities
in Texas, and much of that is because of the beauty
of its Hill Country setting. Beauty is found in the
rivers and creeks, intimate neighborhoods with
tree-covered streets, historic downtown, and the
hill country landscape.
The rivers in New Braunfels have
tremendous aesthetical and recreational “Our park system is the
appeal including the excitement of running thread that connects
water, the peacefulness of quiet flowing this city.”
water, the sound and movements of birds
New Braunfels resident 2008
and animals associated with the water, and
large mature trees that provide welcome
shade to the users. Ecologically, the
linear configuration of rivers makes them extremely
valuable as landscape corridors for wildlife.
Area roadways that approach New Braunfels
do little to contribute to its image. Most visitors
approach New Braunfels from the heavily traveled
IH 35. Their first impression is that of retail along
IH 35 or that of the Wal-Mart Distribution Center.
It is only when the city is explored closer to its
center and to the northwest that the true image
and character of the city is revealed.
A review of the elements that contribute to New
Braunfels’ unique image reveals the following:
Rivers and Creeks
New Braunfels’ river system consists of two main
rivers, the Guadalupe River and the Comal River.
The former is the larger of the two and includes
a number of fairly large tributaries. Both rivers
provide the visitor with dramatic views and vistas
as they wind through the city.
Rural landscape
Agricultural activity and landscapes characterize
New Braunfels from the Guadalupe River corridor
and sections of Seguin Avenue down to the
southern border of city. Large areas of land are
unspoiled by development. Such landscapes are
quickly vanishing from the urban environment. Yet,
it is when such landscapes are offset by sensitive
development that their real beauty is revealed.
The 2010 New Braunfels Strategic Parks and Recreation Master Plan
Page 2.3
History of New Braunfels
In fact, areas along County Line Road appear to
be successful in mixing farming and residential
developments. Other scenic roads are sections
of Seguin Avenue, San Antonio Avenue, and River
Road.
Gruene is of particular importance from a rural
and historic point of view. It is recognized on the
National Register of Historic Places as a historic
district, and is one of the best known historic
attractions in Texas.
There is a local historic district in downtown New
Braunfels called the Sophienburg Historic District.
Buildings and places recognized as having
historical significance in this district include:
■ Comal County Courthouse
■ Comal Hotel and Klein-Kuse House
■ Comal Power Plant
■ First Protestant Church
■ Guadalupe Hotel
■ Hotel Faust
■ Lindheimer House
Page 2.4
Our Parks - Our Heritage, Our Future
History of New Braunfels
Scenic and Tree Tunnel Roads / River
Road
Trees growing along narrow streets with arching
branches provide new meaning to roads in cities.
Many such settings are noticeable in the City of
New Braunfels especially along River Road. Other
roads are scenic due to the agriculture and rural
land that they traverse. This is especially evident
along roads in the northwestern part of the city,
generally northwest of Loop 337. These roads call
for special attention to protect and preserve their
scenic value.
Intimate Neighborhoods
New Braunfels has various older neighborhoods
that are characterized by elegant older homes,
narrow and shaded streets, neat yards and an
intimate feeling. In such neighborhoods people
typically walk the streets and visit neighbors on
foot.
Downtown New Braunfels
Well maintained, well used, and enjoyed during the
week and the weekend, the Main Plaza roundabout
and the associated downtown area have a charm
that stretches beyond the City of New Braunfels.
Many visitors come from afar to attend musical
events and to shop in the quaint stores. Once
off Seguin Avenue and San Antonio Avenue, the
downtown area is further characterized by narrow
tree-covered streets with small, but neatly kept
houses and multiple churches.
The purpose of the New Braunfels Parks and
Recreation Master Plan is to incorporate all the
above-described elements in an intelligent manner
to celebrate their uniqueness, enhance their
appearance, ensure their preservation, and make
their value known to the community.
Economic History and Growth
When the early pioneers first settled in New
Braunfels, many of them had trades such as making
wagons, leather goods, furniture, clothing, as well
as being able to farm. New Braunfels quickly
became the commercial center for pioneers in the
Texas Hill Country. Other area settlers built cotton
gins, saw mills, grist mills, and oil mills. By the
1880s, telegraph and rail lines went from Austin to
San Antonio, passing through New Braunfels. This
allowed for easy communication and the exchange
of goods.
The textile factories and flour mills offered steady
work and growth in the early 20th century. However,
the Great Depression almost closed all the mills
and the boll weevils beetle nearly destroyed the
textile industry. Growth of the city then began again
during World War II, during which time the city
reorganized their government for the second time.
The original system of aldermen was replaced in
1920 with a mayor-commission system. In 1947,
the city replaced it with a council-manager form of
government.
As mentioned previously, the tourism industry is
very profitable and vibrant in New Braunfels. The
Guadalupe and Comal Rivers offer recreational
activities such as swimming, fishing, tubing, and
kayaking. Also, the Schlitterbahn Water Park is in
New Braunfels. Schlitterbahn is on 65 acres in the
heart of New Braunfels, and has been mentioned
on the Travel Channel as the number one water
park in the United States for several years now.
Another tourism attraction in New Braunfels
The 2010 New Braunfels Strategic Parks and Recreation Master Plan
Page 2.5
History of New Braunfels
is the historic district of Gruene. Gruene was
once its own town in Comal County along the
Guadalupe River; however it became a ghost
town after the stock market crash in 1929. Now
it is within the city limits of New Braunfels, and in
the 1970s efforts were made to save the town’s
historic infrastructure. The “town” is listed on the
National Register of Historic Places and consists
of a winery, restaurants, souvenir shops, and the
famous dance hall, Gruene Hall. Other major city
employers are shown in Table 2.1 to the right.
Table 2.1
New Braunfels’ Major Employers
Employer
# of Employees
Schlitterbahn
1,800 (seasonal)
Comal ISD
1,700
Wal-Mart Distribution
1,200
New Braunfels ISD
912
Christus Santa Rosa Hospital
900
The Scooter Store
870
Hunter Industries, Ltd.
550
Comal County
523
City of New Braunfels
450
Wal-Mart Super Center
435
HD Supply Facilities Maintenance
450
Checks in the Mail
350
Dean Word Company
350
HEB Grocery
300
Ashley Furniture Homestore
245
Distribution
Home Depot
240
Coleman Company, Inc.
230
Eden Home
230
GVTC Communications
228
Source: 2008 New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce
Gruene Historic District
Page 2.6
Our Parks - Our Heritage, Our Future
Population & Demographics of New Braunfels
New Braunfels’ Service Area
The New Braunfels city limits and ETJ limits cross
over two counties, Comal County and Guadalupe
County. Therefore, the New Braunfels Parks
and Recreation Department provides recreation
opportunities to people living in both counties.
Table 2.2 shows the service area population within
the city limits and ETJ limits of New Braunfels.
These are the people that look to New Braunfels for
their primary recreational and park uses, not just a
weekend trip to the rivers.
Table 2.2
New Braunfels Service Area
Comal County
Guadalupe County
Census
Pop.
Census
Pop.
Tract
Tract
3101
3,706
2106.03
4,861
3102
2,851
2106.04
3,956
3103
6,971
2106.05
5,053
3104.01
5,591
3104.02
6,877
3105
9,060
3108
6,756
3109
6,465
Subtotal 47,277 Subtotal
13,870
Total
61,147
Source: 2000 U.S. Census
New Braunfels’ Growing
Population
New Braunfels will experience steady growth
throughout the next several decades and over
the lifetime of this plan. By the year 2030, New
Braunfels is projected to have a population of over
150,000 residents, as shown in Table 2.3.
Table 2.3 Projected Growth of
New Braunfels
Year Projected Population % of Growth
2009
58,000
2015
77,726
34%
2020
99,200
27.6%
2025
126,607
27.6%
2030
161,586
27.6%
Source: 5% Compounding growth per year as
determined by consulting firm, Halff.
New Braunfels has had a steady growing population
for the past few decades. However, growth in the
counties that surround New Braunfels has exceeded
the growth of the city itself, as shown in Table 2.4 on
the following page.
Since the start of the new century, New Braunfels
has grown more than its neighboring cities of San
Marcos, Seguin, and San Antonio. In Table 2.5 on
the following page the growth of these cities since
2000 is shown. New Braunfels has had the most
growth with 29.2% from 2000 to 2005.
The 2010 New Braunfels Strategic Parks and Recreation Master Plan
Page 2.7
Population & Demographics of New Braunfels
Table 2.4 Population Growth of New Braunfels, Comal County, and
Guadalupe County
New Braunfels
Comal County
Guadalupe County
Year
Population % of Growth Population % of Growth Population % of Growth
1970
17,859
24,165
33,554
1980
22,402
25.4%
36,445
50.8%
46,708
39.2%
1990
27,334
22.0%
51,832
42.2%
64,873
38.9%
2000
36,494
33.5%
78,021
50.5%
89,023
37.2%
2009
58,000
58.9%
Source: U.S. Census; 2009 population information from the City of New Braunfels.
Table 2.5
Recent Growth of New Braunfels and Neighboring Cities
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
City
New Braunfels
San Marcos
Seguin
San Antonio
53,547
51,804
49,212
47,168
44,956
42,817
52,927
50,373
48,473
46,111
43,780
43,780
26,394
26,051
26,628
24,230
23,982
23,982
1,351,305 1,328,984 1,296,304 1,256,509 1,235,089 1,213,233
Growth
Since 2003
25.1%
20.9%
10.1%
11.4%
Source: U.S. Census Population Estimates
Population Growth from 2003 to 2008
60,000
52,927
50,373
46,111
43,780
43,780
48,473
53,547
49,212
47,168
44,956
42,817
40,000
51,804
50,000
30,000
26,394
26,051
26,628
24,230
23,982
23,982
20,000
10,000
0
New Braunfels
San Marcos
2003
Page 2.8
2004
2005
2006
Seguin
2007
2008
Our Parks - Our Heritage, Our Future
Population & Demographics of New Braunfels
A Demographic Profile of New
Braunfels
A key part of the parks master planning process is to
understand the characteristics of the population to be
served. Some of the factors to consider are age, race,
and income.
Age - The majority of the population of New Braunfels,
51%, are within the working ages of 20 to 59. This
is similar to the State of Texas that has 56% of the
population within this age. Beyond that, the population
of New Braunfels is older than that of the state. Only
28.4% of New Braunfels residents are younger than
19, compared to 32% for the state. 20.6% of the New
Braunfels population is over the age of 60, Texas has
only 13% over the age of 60. This trend is expected to
change in the 2010 census, however, as more young
families move into the City. See Table 2.6.
Table 2.6 Age Distribution for New
Braunfels
Age
% of New Braunfels
% of Texas
0-14
21.5%
24%
15-19
6.9%
8%
20-34
20.0%
23%
35-59
31.0%
33%
60-74
11.3%
9%
75+
9.3%
4%
Source: 2000 U.S. Census
Racial Characteristics - the racial
characteristics for New Braunfels are shown
in Table 2.7. 84.3% of the population is white
and 34.5% are of Hispanic or Latino heritage.
According to the US Census demographic
categories, a person of Hispanic or Latino
heritage can be of any race. Therefore, in the
table below, the races add up to 100% when
Hispanic heritage of any race is not included
since it is not politically considered a race but
rather an ethnicity.
Table 2.7 Racial Characteristics
for New Braunfels
Race
Percent
White or Caucasian
84.3%
Black or African American
1.4%
Asian
0.6%
American Indian or Alaska Native 0.6%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander 0.03%
Other race
10.9%
Two or more races
2.2%
Hispanic or Latino (of any race)
34.5%
Source: 2000 U.S. Census
Medium Income – the income levels for
New Braunfels, Comal County, Guadalupe
County and Hays County are shown below.
The City of New Braunfels per capita income
is somewhat lower when compared to Comal
County as a whole. However, it is very similar to
both Guadalupe and Hays Counties as shown
on Table 2.8 below.
Table 2.8 Income Levels for New Braunfels, Comal County, Guadalupe
County and Hays County
City / County
Total Population Median Household Median Family
Per Capita
Income
Income
Income
New Braunfels
36,494
$40,078
$46,726
$18,548
Comal County
78,021
$46,147
$52,455
$21,914
Guadalupe County
89,023
$43,949
$49,645
$18,430
Hays County
97,589
$45,006
$56,287
$19,931
Source: 2000 U.S. Census
The 2010 New Braunfels Strategic Parks and Recreation Master Plan
Page 2.9
Population & Demographics of New Braunfels
Schools in New Braunfels
There are two school districts with campuses in New Braunfels, the New Braunfels Independent School
District and the Comal Independent School District. A list of campuses and enrollment for each school district
can be found in Table 2.9 and Table 2.10. There are also five private schools in New Braunfels. The grades
and enrollment of these five schools can be found in Table 2.11.
Table 2.9
Comal ISD Campuses in New Braunfels
Name
Grades
2008-2009
Enrollment
Comal Elementary
K-5
3571
Freiheit Elementary
K-5
773
Goodwin/Frazier Elementary
Pre K - 5
708
Hoffmann Lane Elementary
Pre K - 5
791
Morningside Elementary
Pre K - 5
544
Oak Creek Elementary
Pre K - 5
Opened fall ‘09
enrollment unknow
Canyon Middle School
6-8
818
Churchill Middle School
6-7
727
Canyon High School
9 - 12
1,803
Avery Park Elementary
To be open 8/2010
Source: Comal Independent School District 2008
Table 2.10
New Braunfels ISD Campuses
Name
Grades
2008-2009
Enrollment
County Line Elementary
K-5
568
Klein Road Elementary
K-5
395
Lamar Primary
K-5
427
Lone Star Elementary
K-5
414
Memorial Elementary
K-5
653
Carl Schurz Elementary
K-5
365
Seele Elementary
K-5
398
Walnut Springs Elementary
K-5
578
Oak Run Middle School
6-7
523
New Braunfels Middle School
6-8
1,080
New Braunfels High School
9 - 12
1,914
Table 2.11
Private Schools in New Braunfels
Name
Grades
2008-2009
Enrollment
Calvary Baptist Academy
1 - 12
18
Cross Lutheran School
Pre K - 8
108
Nancy Ney Charter School
4 - 12
130
New Braunfels Christian Academy
Pre K - 12
469
St. Peter and Paul Catholic School
Pre K - 8
188
Source: Local School Directory 2008
Source: New Braunfels Independent School District 2008
Page 2.10
Our Parks - Our Heritage, Our Future