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Gruene is a historic district in New Braunfels, Texas. It was once its own town but was incorporated into New Braunfels in 1974.
History
Gruene, pronounced “green”, was first settled by German immigrant Ernst Gruene in 1845, who arrived in New Braunfels along with Prince Carl of Solms-Braunfels (1812-1875). Land was scarce in New Braunfels so Ernst purchased a plot of land outside of town next to the Guadalupe River and built his first home there.
Ernst’s second son, Heinrich (Henry) (1850-1920), founded Gruene in 1872 and started a cotton plantation. This lured between 20 and 30 families to the town, which thrived until the boll weevil plague of the 1920s. By 1950, it had become a ghost town.
In 1974 Chip Kaufman, a student at the University of Texas in Austin, began preservation efforts. He persuaded new owners to purchase buildings in the historic district and turn them into businesses, and was able to get the town listed on the National Register of Historic Places on April 21, 1975. Today, it’s a major tourist attraction. Many of the buildings still function as restaurants, shops, and accommodation.
Gruene Hall
The most important building in town is Gruene Hall. It was built in 1878 by Henry Gruene as a saloon and social hall for local cotton workers. The contractor was Christian Herry (1854-1917).
Not much has changed since the hall was first built, and it’s considered an iconic music venue. In fact, it’s the oldest continuously operating dance hall in Texas.
The 6,000 square foot hall has kept its original layout. The bar sits in the front, the roof has a high pitch, and there’s a stage in the back as well as an outdoor garden. Advertisements from the 1930s and 1940s decorate the space around the stage.
Some of the most famous country music stars have performed at the hall, and there’s live music every day. It was an important social and entertainment venue when it opened and continues as such today.
Gruene Water Tower
Just behind the hall is the Gruene Water Tower. It was originally built around 1900 out of cedar but was destroyed by fire in 1922. The current tower was built in 1924. The slight bend in the roof was caused by a crane being used to dismantle it in the 1970s, as it was slated to be sold for scrap.
Gruene Mansion
Next door to the Hall is the Gruene Mansion, which was one of the first buildings in town. It was built in 1872 by Henry Gruene in the Victorian style. Today, it operates as a bed and breakfast. Every room is unique and decorated with handmade furniture and antiques. A memorial out front was dedicated to Henry by his grandchildren in December 1984.
H.D. Gruene Mercantile
Standing across the street from the dance hall is H.D. Gruene Mercantile. Henry’s business was originally founded on the site of the building in 1878. The current structure was built in 1904 to accommodate the business’ growth. It incorporates both Richardsonian Romanesque and Classical Revival styles.
Gruene General Store
Finally, across the street is the Gruene General Store. It was built in 1897 to replace an older building dating back to 1878, the store’s first year in operation. The general store served families working in the cotton fields, supplying them with food, clothes, and household goods. For a short time, it also served as a post office as well as a bank and distillery.
Mozie’s
We popped into Mozie’s for lunch. It’s located in the mercantile building and serves sliders, burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, salads, and other dishes. There’s also a full bar with a good selection of beers, wines, and liquors. We had sliders and a plate of onion rings, which was piled ridiculously high. The food was good and so was the service.
