Gruene Historic District--South and West Texas; A National Register of Historic Places Travel Itinerary

Gruene's 1878 mercantile building and 1880s dance hall (top), 1907 Gruene mercantile building (middle) and Henry D. Gruene Mansion (bottom)
Photos courtesy of www.gruenemansioninn.com

Located on an old stagecoach road between San Antonio and Austin, the 19th-century town of Gruene is situated on a bluff overlooking the Guadalupe River. Many of Gruene's earliest settlers were German immigrants who arrived in Texas during the 1840s and 1850s. In 1872, Henry D. Gruene, the son of early New Braunfels settlers, purchased land on the east side of the Guadalupe River. The area was divided into 20-30 lots which attracted numerous families who farmed cotton, the principal cash crop. In 1924, disaster struck when the "boll weevil" destroyed the cotton crop. When the Great Depression hit, many families fell into debt and left the area. The town of Gruene never fully recovered from these economic disasters. Today, the small town retains the appearance of a thriving 19th-century cotton producing community. The Henry D. Gruene Mansion and the old Mercantile Building still stand on Seguin Street.

The Gruene Historic District is bounded by both sides of Sequin, New Braunfels and Austin sts. Gruene is located north of San Antonio off I-10. For more information, view the town's website.