Boerne History Timeline

Ludwig Borne1840s - German settlers start migrating toward the wild area, later named Boerne, after Ludwig Börne, a Socialist writer who encouraged them to come to Texas and freedom.

1846 - In March, the Republic of Texas joined the United States. Immigrants from Germany swore allegiance to the Union.

1846 - In April, War broke out between the U.S. and Mexico.

1849 - Tusculum. Founding of Boerne by members of the Adelsverein who came West from New Braunfels, founding Latin Settlements and fighting the elements, disease and Indians.         

1849 - Luckenbach-Clemens-Asher pioneer house built on James Street.

1850s - Main Plaza is the center point for trading goods. Pioneer homes built using native limestone rock and trees. Indian raids.

1852 - Gustav Theissen and John James plat the town map of Boerne. 

1854 - William Dietert opens first Boerne business (Saw & Grist Mill)   

1855 - Dr. Ferdinand Herff home built on the Herff Ranch. Henry Wendler General Store opens on Main Street.

1856 - Stagecoach service begins, replacing the Pony Express for mail. August Staffel opens the first Post Office and Stagecoach stop. Texas Rangers under the command of Captain John Sansom, in Boerne because of Indian Raids and Thievery.

1857 - Julius Fabra Butcher Shop opens on Main Street.

Theis Blacksmith1858 - Phillip Theis Blacksmith Shop opens on Main Street. Kendall Inn, Theis Haus, Henry Wendler house, Phillip Manor, Robert E. Lee and William Vogt pioneer houses built.

1860s -Civil War 1861-1864 - German settlers who swore allegiance to the Union, take sides in a Confederate State. Indian raids persist.

1860 - Karl Dienger starts the first Private School, the Boerne Village Band and the Boerne Gesang Verein (Singing Club) Henry and William Dietert build houses across from each other the Cibolo Creek near the Dietert Mill and Dam.

George Wilkins Kendall1862 - Kendall County formed - named for George Wilkins Kendall, who introduced wool bearing sheep from Europe. Kendall was the first editor of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, and in the 1840s he became the first war correspondent.

1864 - Boerne Schuetzen Verein (Shooting Club) formed.

1865 - Bickel Family massacred by the Indians - Oldest known burial in the Boerne Cemetery. Kuhfuss- Schweppe home built - was temporary County Offices.

1867 -St. Peter's Catholic Church built by George Wilkins Kendall for his wife, outside of the City limits. No churches allowed in City. Boerne Cemetery officially opened. Many previous burials, with unmarked graves still exist in the old section.

1870s - Cattle drives by new English Settlers. Post Civil War growth.

1870 - Kendall County Courthouse completed on San Antonio Street. First Boerne Public School built on Blanco Street. Herman Toepperwein was the first teacher.

1872 - Hall Mansion built across from Phillip Manor

1875 - Boerne's first Newspaper, "The Union Land Register" starts. Barbed Wire introduced, interfering with Cattle Drives.

1878 - St. Helena's Episcopal Church built on Main Street. The first church within City limits. Organized by the English Settlers.

1879 - First Methodist Church built on James Street. Weyrich-Beissner General Store opens on N. Main Street. Alexander Kaiser house built by Catholic Church.

1880s - Railroad comes to Boerne. Hotels & Sanitariums built to handle respiratory patients and Resorts influx. More Victorian influence.

1880 -James-Sykes house built on Oak Park.  Kuhlmann Apothecary opens.

1881 - Bonnet-Davis Pioneer Sunday house built by Veteran's Park

1883 - Telegraph in Boerne. Eugene Laue the first operator.

1884 - Kendall County Jail built, although there was Kendall County Jailan earlier one being researched. Joseph Dienger Building & General Store built next to Plaza.

1885 -Kuhlmann-King house built by William Kuhlmann.

1886 -Toepperwein - Hovey house built on Oak Park.

1887 - Ebensberger Funeral Home began. It is the oldest business in town still operating. Fabra Smokehouse built for Fabra Meat Market. San Antonio & Aransas Pass Railroad replaces the Stagecoach. The Livery Stable met trains and provided transportation.

1888 -Opera House built on Main & San Antonio Streets.

1889 -Gottlieb Adolph Weiss house and Blacksmith Shop built.

1890s - A period of steady growth for population and businesses.

1890 - Ort Bakery / Saloon and Krause Building started on S. Main Street. Newspaper, "The Boerne Post," replaces the "Register." Boerne Hermann Sons Lodge #25 organized. Albert Kutzer, Schrader-Hartmann, Hagemann-McGinnis houses and the Henry J. Graham Building built.

1891 - Max Beseler Bar opens on Main Street.

1894 - A.S. Toepperwein house built. He was a Master cabinet & furniture maker with the trademark, "Ringtail Rino."

1898 - Christian Schrader bought the old Livery Stable and later converted it when automobiles came to town.

1900s - Boerne City Incorporated -War comes - Electricity introduced.

1900 - Boerne Chamber of Commerce forms out of Business Mens Assn. Julius Phillip house built. He became County Judge. Boerne White Sox Baseball Team begins. William Ziegler Building built, and houses Hardware Store.

H.O. Adler Building1902 - H.O. Adler Store opens.

1903 - Beseler-Harz home built.

1904 - Boerne Turn Verein organized.

1905 - Boerne Masonic Lodge formed. Amman Davis house built.

1906 - First Kendall County Fair. First automobiles appear changing livery stables to gas stations. "Boerne Star" replaces "The Post" newspaper. Paul Holekamp house built. Boerne State Bank opens.

1908  - Citizen's Bank started by Henry J. Graham. Vargas-Thomas, Clemens-Heath houses built.

1909 - City of Boerne Incorporated -Population: 885. First Mayor, William John Wilke

1910 - First Telephone Operator station upstairs in Carstanjen Bldg. Schwarz - Pechacek, Gammon Davis houses built.

1911 - Second Public School built (now City Hall) Alfred Giles, Arch.

1912 - Joe Vogt Bldg. opens as Dry Goods & Grocery Store/Bakery. Karl Dienger house, Kronkosky Tower built.

1917 - World War I starts.

1922 - Boerne Reading Club organized.

1923 - Monument dedicated on Military Plaza by Henry J. Graham to local WW I Soldiers who died in service to their Country.

1924 - Boerne Parent Teachers Association formed.

1925 - Bergmann Lumber Company opens.

1929 - Great Depression begins.

1930 - Albert Kutzer Garage - Horse & Buggies replaced by autos.

St. John Lutheran Church1932 - St. John Lutheran Church built on Depot (now Rosewood) Street.

1939 - Lions Club forms.

1940 - Boerne Utilities Company forms. Sewer Plant opens.

1941 - World War II begins. Boerne Grange #1545 organized.

1949 - Boerne Centennial Celebrations.

1960 - IH 10 opens and a trip to San Antonio takes just 30 minutes.

1967 - Berges Fest begins on Main Plaza.

1970 - Boerne Area Historical Preservation Society formed.

From 1940 to 1970, Boerne population grew from 1271 to 2432.

From 1970 to 1990, Boerne population grew from 2432 to 4274

In 1996 - Population over 5000 and we became a "Home Rule" government.

In 1999 - Boerne Celebrated its Sesquicentennial - 150 years!

In 2006 - Boerne has a new Master Plan for managing growth.

From the year 2000 to 2009, Boerne population has mushroomed from 6124 to over 9000 and is still growing.

Compiled by Colonel Bettie Edmonds, Researcher, Boerne Archives Collection in the Boerne Public Library.