The Oldest Bakery in Texas...Naegelin's in New Braunfels

Met up with several friends at Naegelin's Bakery in New Braunfel's for coffee and goodies. Naegelin's has been operating continuously since 1868 which makes it the oldest bakery in Texas. Edouard Naegelin started a bakery in San Antonio with a partner but that didn't work out so he moved to New Braunfels to start a new bakery in 1868 when he was 24 with a dollar in his pocket and a sack of flour. He bought the current property in 1874. He ran the bakery with his family until he died in 1924. His son and daughter ran it until his son and his wife took it over. They ran the  bakery until their son took it over and ran it until 1980 when the business was sold to the Granzin family in the 1980's. .

Just across the parking lot is a fabulous mural depicting life in early New Braunfel.

As I said, it is huge. Sage, Linda, and Mary Jane posed in front of one part of it.

The artist was actually there refreshing the paint while we took photos.

After sampling several goodies like the strudel which Naegelin's is justly famous for making, we walked around town. The court house is impressive just like most of the court houses in Texas.

There are lots of beautiful old buildings in the downtown area.

There is a Train Depot Museum which was closed the day we were there but it looked interesting.

Henne's Hardware is another old family business. Henne Hardware started life in 1846 as a tinsmithing business run by Johann Henne. When Johann died in 1857, his 17 year old son Louis took over the business as Louis Henne Company and diversified it into the business it is today. Louis Henne died in 1912 and his son Adolph took it over until he died in 1943. His three sons ran the business until they sold it in 1973. The business has continued to be run like it was years ago so it is like taking a step back in time when you visit.

 

There are several other beautiful murals in downtown New Braunfels. Every Saturday, there is a Farmers Market nearby next to Krause's Biergarten and Café. It is definitely worthwhile to visit.