For over 150 years, the Main Plaza has been a focal point of the New Braunfels community. Main Plaza occupies the rotary in front of Comal County’s Courthouse. Its origin actually dates to the city’s 1845 founding by The Society for the Protection of German Immigrants in Texas, also known as the Adelsverein. Their engineer, Nicolaus Zink, used trails to plot city streets and included what would become the oval-shaped “park” in original plans. The map Prince Carl had prepared when he returned to Germany included the park designation as well.
Settlers held the first 4th of July celebration at Main Plaza in 1846. That 4th of July event held soon after Texas became a state, marks the starting point of a tradition held annually around Main Plaza.
By the 1870s, a feeder route of the Chisholm Trail passed Main Plaza. Two historical markers documenting this fact can be found today.
To meet the need for water at this junction of business and commerce, the “Committee on Water was ordered to investigate in which way and at what cost a nice watering place could be put on the public square.” Council minutes from 1887 further tell us that early commerce nixed the plan when it was reported that a watering place on Main Plaza would be a disadvantage to the city.
Commerce continued at Main Plaza through the mid-1890s. Around 1890, wagoners began bringing bales of cotton to market which was held at Main Plaza. This practice continued until 1896. “King Cotton” had become a major crop in Comal County.
In 1895, the 50th Anniversary of the Founding of New Braunfels was celebrated and triumphal arch was erected at the center of Main Plaza. The latter celebration lasted May 11-13 and the three-day event included a parade through the arch.
The Fountain
Real changed arrived at Main Plaza soon after the 50th Anniversary Celebration. Monies left from the 1895 event bought a fountain. Other sources also contributed to the fountain’s cost. Cast in 1896 by J.L. Mott Iron
Works of New York, the fountain was presented by the 50th Anniversary Committee of Arrangements. 1896 Council minutes state that the Park committee reported problems with people watering their stock at the fountain on Main Plaza and recommended the area be fenced. In 1897 curbing, landscaping and park benches were added.
About a century later, extensive damage was caused to Main Plaza’s fountain when a driver crashed into the fountain. Protective bollards were smashed; and worse, the hundred-year-old fountain was brought down. Great care was taken to have the fountain properly restored and Robinson Iron of Alexander City, AL, performed the work. About six months after the accident, the fountain returned to a “Welcome Home Main Plaza Fountain” community-wide celebration held in November 2004.
The Bandstand
Certainly Main Plaza had begun to take on a more defined atmosphere when the curb and landscaping were placed but a more distinctive appearance was achieved in 1905 with the addition of the Bandstand. Residents petitioned the City of New Braunfels and a neo-classical designed bandstand was built. Local contractor A. C. Moeller oversaw construction. Soon a version of “den Takt angeben!” or, as we might know it, Strike-up the band!, was heard when Director Emil Waldschmidt conducted the Fire Department Band’s popular summer concerts. The next year, 1906, Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic opera “The Mikado” was performed and Japanese-styled costumes were used.
In 1920, the 75th Anniversary of the City’s founding was celebrated at Main Plaza. The Women’s Civic Improvement Club (WCIC) provided funding for a ladies restroom in 1926. Years later, in 1976, the Bandstand was refurbished as part of the U.S. Bicentennial Celebration. Heritage was preserved again when the Main Plaza’s Bandstand received Texas Historic Landmark status in 2003.
The Markers
In the 1930s, Mr. and Mrs. E.A. Clousnitzer provided funds for two statues. One statue represents a Civil War Infantryman and flanks a bend of Main Plaza. In 1964, the State Historical Survey Committee authorized placement of a plaque telling of Comal County’s role in the Civil War.
Indiana sculptor E. M. Viquesney was commissioned in 1934 to create “Spirit of the American Doughboy”. The cast zinc statue was dedicated to “World War Veterans of Comal County 1917-1918” on November 11, 1937.
In 1976, a granite marker commemorating the American Revolution’s Bicentennial was added to the grounds. In 1995, the 150th Anniversary of the City’s founding, additional granite markers were placed.
The Heritage
Two features have both identified and defined Main Plaza for over a century: the Fountain ad the Bandstand. The latter has been incorporated into the official logo for New Braunfels and the name “Bandstand” is now synonymous with that of Main Plaza. In some respects, Main Plaza represents a composite of the Texas-German settlements during a time of the Republic’s transition to Statehood. In this process, Main Plaza–this unique little park– has become the heart of the City.