BOERNE PUBLIC LIBRARY ~ 1884
in the historic Joseph Dienger Building 201 N. Main St.

This native limestone structure was built for Joseph Dienger and has been prominent in Boerne's history for over 100 years. Originally, it was a grocery store with living quarters upstairs. Later, it was a dry goods store and after that, the Antlers Restaurant. Finally it became offices for Bill and Paige Ramsey-Palmer who restored the building. It is on the National Register for Historic Places and a Texas Historical Landmark. In 1991, after extensive renovation, the building, now owned by the city of Boerne was dedicated as the Boerne Public Library.

THINGS TO SEE
*Ask about the buildings ghost.
*The Historical Research Room contains many collections, research sources and displays from the Boerne Area, Historical Preservation Society and the Boerne Cemetery Foundation
*The rare 1614 Low German Bible is one of the prize exhibits. Its history is fascinating and mysterious.
*Special exhibits and displays throughout the library celebrate Boerne's 150th Anniversary and recognize the elder pioneer families. A must see!
*Also learn more about Boerne's history and the Boerne Village Band, founded in 1860 and still playing.

THINGS TO SEE
*The "Early Boerne Schools" Historical Marker awarded by the State of Texas for both schoolhouses on "Historic Hill." *Observe the fine restoration and adaptive reuse for city offices.

This building was used as a high school while the lower grades attended classes in a small frame building which was moved to Hosack and O'Grady streets and is now a private home. When the new school, now City Hall, was built in 1910 this old school was used as an overflow from the lower grades. Now the property of the City, it has been refurbished into the City Hall Annex for use as city offices. The schoolhouse is part of the "Historic Hill Complex" of four buildings now owned by the city that were part of the early history of Boerne. It is fondly remembered by older and former Boerne residents.

THINGS TO SEE
*Note the tasteful restoration which retains many features of the old schoolhouse while providing city staff with modern, efficient office space.
*Displays of old desks and memorabilia will remind some
students of their old school days.

This two story native limestone rock house with separate kitchen was built for William Kuhlmann, a successful German pharmacist. In 1902, it was rented to Salina Long King who emigrated from England. It was purchased for her in 1908. Her sons operated the local King Lumber Company. As a rental property, another of its noteworthy tenants was artist Harry Anthony DeYoung. Several of his paintings are on display in the house. From 1920 to 1951, it was owned by the Boerne ISD and used as a cafeteria for the adjacent schools. The city became the owner in 1951 and has leased the buildings to the Historical Society since 1971. The house and kitchen were completely renovated and designated as a Texas Historical Landmark in 1984.

THINGS TO SEE
*Antique furniture, clothing, children's toys and displays of relics of the 1800's.
*Early artwork by local artists.
*The separate kitchen features early pioneer furnishings.
*Be sure to visit the Gift Shop for souvenirs of Boerne's history.

This building is one of the most traveled in Boerne. Originally housing the real estate, insurance and private banking ventures of Henry Joseph Graham, it has served many other functions throughout its history. From 1938 until 1978, the building, then on Main St., was used as Rose Marie's Beauty Parlor, a peanut and popcorn shop, Curly's Barber Shop, and offices and storage by Epperson Motors. It was later sold to Gloria Musto to house her antique shop. When Boerne State Bank purchased the Main St. lot, it was moved about three miles out the Sisterdale Rd. In 1984, Mr. and Mrs. Tom C. Frost purchased the building and donated it to the Historical Society. The Frosts had the building moved to its present location next to the Kuhlmann-King House. It was awarded a Texas Subject Marker and is now a museum of Boerne artifacts.

THINGS TO SEE
*The original old Boerne telephone switchboard and display. *Works by local early artists.
*Unique collections of Boerne's past.

Kendall County, named after George William Kendall, was formed in 1862 during the Civil War. Because of economic woes and political unrest, the building of the courthouse didn't start until 1869. The front section was added in 1909 under the direction of architect Alfred Giles. The whole structure was remodeled in 1954. Along with the adjacent jail, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 and is a Texas Historical Landmark. During 1998-1999, the exterior of the building was completely restored as the new courthouse was nearing completion. As the second oldest Texas county courthouse in continual use since it was built, it will continue to house official offices to supplement those in the new courthouse.

THINGS TO SEE
*Alfred Giles Exhibit. The noted architect who contributed to this and many other buildings in the area.
*The old courtroom on the second floor.

One of the oldest houses in Boerne, it was built by Phillip Jacob Theis. Theis was a blacksmith and wheelwright who immigrated from Germany in 1855. His blacksmith shop was located in front of the house. The Theis family has owned the house for over 100 years. The construction is a palisades type which is rare in this area. Before the house became a Texas Historical Landmark, the original chink and daubing architecture, hand-hewn beams, willow reeds for lattice and adobe with straw for plaster were well preserved by present owners Ruby and Edgar Bergmann. It is now owned by their daughter, Betsy Sueltenfuss.

THINGS TO SEE
*An interesting glimpse of early pioneer living. The house has many examples of rare construction and history. Note the old-style cedar fencing and the furniture. Also note the "cooler" which was used before refrigeration on the front porch.

The oldest structure on this tour, it was built in 1849 by Jacob Luckenbach. Jacob also built the Luckenbach-Mitchell House next door. The house was owned by the Luckenbach family and later by the Zinsmeister, Beyers and Lausen families. The current owner is Richard Asher, who has completely restored this excellent example of a pioneer German-style home. The foundation was built with solid limestone up to the roof gables to keep anything from getting under the house. Restorers, while chipping the stucco walls in the kitchen, were delighted to find a fireplace in the living room - it had been sealed off many years before. If only walls could talk. Richard Asher, for his outstanding restoration, was awarded the Boerne Historical plaque. It is displayed on the front of the house.

THINGS TO SEE
*An 1893 St. Louis newspaper was discovered inside a window display structure and is now on display.
*Many unique pieces of furniture and antiques.

The Ag Center is a working museum and is a Kendall County outgrowth of the Texas Sesquicentennial. It preserves examples of farming and ranching life in the Hill Country. The big red barn was the first structure built to display artifacts. A working blacksmith shop with a steam boiler was added later. A fully equipped, working carpenter shop was constructed to house the old-fashioned cabinet making equipment of several noted Boerne woodcraftsmen. An old smokehouse, used by pioneers to preserve meats, was moved in, reassembled and restored. Many displays of old farm equipment were set up and are now on display. The Pioneer House is the newest structure on display at the Ag Center. It is a replica of a log cabin created by volunteers with the materials, tools and equipment from the working shops on location. Despite its rustic appearance, the cabin is provided with modern facilities and lighting. It can function as a classroom and meeting room. The Ag Center has a strong educational program that hosts over 500 children a year.

THINGS TO SEE
*Everything! The shops can be fired up for demonstrations and guides will show visitors around the complex. It is the only one of its kind in South Texas.

The Cibolo Wilderness Trail is a 70-acre greenbelt of preserved wilderness nestled in City Park. It offers visitors a chance to see how the Hill Country looked in the 1840's when pioneers settled in Kendall County. The trail demonstrates four distinct ecosystems - a marsh, prairie, cypress creek bottom and upland woods. The Cibolo Nature Center, originally a downtown Boerne building, was donated by George and Alice Plummer to the CWT. Today it is a hub of activities and features many wildlife displays. It also has a gift shop and classroom space for educational nature programs and storytelling sessions. An old fashioned wood burning stove is there for cold, frosty mornings. The CWT is owned by the City of Boerne and leased to the Friends of the Cibolo Wilderness. The inspiration and hard work of Director Carolyn Chipman-Evans has helped make the Cibolo Wilderness Trail a reality. There is accessible entry to the nature center and to some of the trails.

THINGS TO SEE
*Exhibits and educational activities associated with the CWT. *Walk the trails
*See the dinosaur tracks

We are grateful to Col. Bettie Edmonds and to the Boerne Chamber of Commerce for the use of these images and text.

HISTORIC BOERNE CEMETERY ~ 1867
N. School Rd. at Advogt

The cemetery dates back to 1867. Accurate records, however, were not kept until 1900. The earliest known graves are those of the Bickel family. They were scalped and killed by indians in 1868. The Boerne cemetery reflects the history of Kendall County and is a Texas Historical Cemetery. Early pioneer settlers, who were vital to the development of Boerne are buried here. This includes George Wilkins Kendall, the man Kendall County is named after. His grave is marked with an historic plaque. Veterans of wars are honored yearly in the cemetery by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. 4000 people are buried in the cemetery, which is beautifully maintained by the City and the Boerne Cemetery Foundation.

THINGS TO SEE
*Guides are available to escort visitors around the cemetery. *Tombstone rubbings are allowed.
*Note the serene setting, lovely trees and landscape.