Painted History
Schulenburg's Story in Mural Form
Read through the history of Schulenburg as you follow along the visual journey of the mural.
German &
Czech
Texas is no stranger to German and Czech influences, especially our part of South Central Texas. German immigrants migrated to Texas in the 1840s and settled around Schulenburg throughout the 1850s including a group of 48 men that came to the area for the affordable land. Although the land was cheap, the dirt underneath was rich with nutrients and became the base for the agricultural center of the time. Shortly after the Germans settled, a group of Austrian-Moravian families also migrated to the area to seek potential bounties of their new home.
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The German and Czech influences, along with traditions and characteristics from area African American and Hispanic individuals, created a unique culture exclusive to the community that was deemed "Typical Schulenburg."' Many German Foods like sausage, schnitzel, sauerkraut, and strudel are still enjoyed today, along with Czech delicacies like kolaches (fruit filled pastries) and klobasnik (pigs in a blanket).
The German and Czech traditions of Church picnics, festivals, and elaborate weddings are still enjoyed today just as they were when these immigrants settled in the area. Over 100 years later, F. Lotto's quote still rings true when he said, "No city in Texas has a greater reputation for the congeniality of its people than Schulenburg. The free and easy yet refined manners of its inhabitants never fail to make the stranger feel at home. The splendor and the tasty arrangements of its festivities have made for Schulenburg the name of the festive city of South Texas."
Frank's
A Schulenburg staple for almost a century, Frank's Restaurant founder, Frank Tilicek, opened his 24-hour eatery in 1929 at North Main and West Ave. In 1934, Frank's moved to its second location on Summit Street (Highway 90). Wanting to take advantage of the new interstate traffic, the restaurant made its third and final move to the intersection of Highway 77 and Interstate 10.
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Frank's was known for its down home country cooking, serving up their original "Schulenburgers" and of course their famous meringue pies. Frank's popularity grew as a spot for locals, travelers, and the occasional celebrity. The restaurant hosted guests like Joan Crawford, astronaut Alan Shepherd, sports heroes Nolan Ryan and Darrel Royal, Governor John Connally, and even Presidents Franklin Roosevelt, Lyndon B. Johnson, and George W. Bush.
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Sadly, the restaurant's run came to an end when it served its last customer in 2017. However, the legacy lives on in the memories of travelers who saw the old neon sign like a beacon along the interstate, and in the taste buds of Schululenburgers today.
Carnation
Got Milk? Schulenburg did when in 1929, the Carnation Milk Company built on the site of Ernst Baumgartner's homestead. Texas saw Carnation's first milk processing plant right here in Schulenburg. In fact, the plant was one of the first national corporations to open a plant of any kind in the state. The event was of monumental importance back then. So much so that on April 3, 1929, Governor Dan Moody was the key note speaker.
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"As a publicity stunt, the "Flying Bull," a registered Holstein calf was flown 1400 miles from Oconomowoc, Wisconsin to celebrate the opening of the plant." The plane landed in Edward Ripper's pasture near High Hill and was driven into town to much fanfare. Just how many people attended? "Ten special trains helped bring more than 30,000 people to Schulenburg for the day."
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In addition to stimulating Schulenburg's economy, the plant stimulated the local dairy industry and provided an avenue for local feed stores and farmers all over South Texas to profit. The plant eventually changed hands and is still in operation as Dairy Farmers of America (DFA). The current plant is much larger than the original Carnation factory and produces a myriad of dairy products that are sold to major retailers across the nation.
First Baptist Church
The Church was built in 1871 as High Hill Missionary Baptist Church. The official date of the current congregation was October 9, 1873. Later that year, the building was moved 3 miles south to Schulenburg. The building made the trek across the Navidad River Prairie rolling on top of huge logs. The church was used by several faiths as the community around it settled and began to grow. The original location at Summit and West Ave. saw the church recognized and renamed the First Baptist Church in 1927.
The original building was moved to its current location off of N. Upton in 1989. At every location, the church consistently ministered to the Schulenburg community and beyond. It has faithfully shared the good news of Jesus Christ wherever opportunity has led her.
Stanzel's
In the early 20th century while working for their uncle, brothers Victor and Joe Stanzel became fascinated by aviation as WWI planes soared overhead on their way to the San Antonio Army Air Corps bases. Victor was eight years older than his brother, and started carving replica planes out of balsa wood. He would grow to produce his own sketches for model planes. He knew with the help of his little brother, a business could be made with this talent. "Overall the brothers ended with twenty-five patents and seventeen model kits including the beginnings of the control line, monoline, and battery operated toy planes." In addition to the model planes, the brothers also designed carnival rides and pinball machines. In fact, their ride "Straroship" was showcased at Texas' Centennial Celebration in Dallas in 1936.
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The brothers were inducted into the Model Aviation Hall of Fame in 1986. This fame led to the construction of the Stanzel Model Aircraft Museum opening in 1999. The brothers wanted to give back to the community they loved so. As a result, the Stanzel Foundation was established and still gives out scholarships to area high school students, along with many other charitable donations to many organizations in and around Schulenburg.
Louis
Schulenburg
"In 1876, a new settler came to a new settlement. Mr. Louis Schulenburg bought a home site and called it Blum Hill, just a few miles North West of Lyons." The 440 acres Mr. Schulenburg purchased included the "Old Anderson Place" and he made that his residence until the railroad came a calling. On March 1, 1873, the railroad purchased Mr. Schulenburg's land and thus named the station "Schulenburg Depot."
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The town of Schulenburg sprang up out of the black land Navidad Prairie soil almost overnight. From its establishment, Schulenburg, officially incorporated in 1875, still bears the name of the man who gave an opportunity of a community to blossom from humble beginnings of a home place to become a home for thousands.
Wolter's
Cabin
Like many early 19th Century settlers, Jacob Wolters and his family migrated west for hopes of a better life. In 1834, along with his wife, sons Robert, August, Ferdinand, and daughter Wilhelmina, arrived in America via ship from Prussia. A year later, the pioneer decided to try to wrangle the untamed lands of Texas and settled in neighboring Colorado County. Sadly, his first wife passed away leading Jacob to marry Louise Maybrink. The couple welcomed four more sons, Edward, Theodore, Herman, and Frank.
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A little over a century later, the nineteen acres was donated to the City of Schulenburg. In 1941, the 15x15 cabin was moved to the newly established park where it still rests today. In the late 2000s, the Schulenburg Festival Association remodeled the cabin preserving its' appearance to serve generations to come as a testament to the spirit of the early trailblazers that made Schulenburg what it is today.
G.E. Ruhmann
Born in La Grange, Texas on August 23, 1873, Gus E. Ruhmann married Elisabeth Baumgarten in Schulenburg on June 11, 1896. The blushing bride was the daughter of Christian and Ernestine Baumgarten. After locating to Schulenburg, the young Ruhmann tried his luck in the plumbing business to no avail. In 1908, he gave sheet metal and wire goods a try.
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G.E. Ruhmann Manufacturing Company had humble beginnings with five employees. The company grew producing furnaces, wire baskets, smoke stacks, and other sheet metal works. In 1920, Gus' son joined the family business. Sadly, in 1949 Gus passed away, leaving the business to his son and son-in-law E.W. Steinmann. The duo modified the company to produce mufflers, gardening, farming, and industrial equipment. By 1970, they sold the company to John Houchins and Sons Inc. Later in 1975, the muffler portion of the rebranded "Ruhmann MFG Co." was sold to Kenneth Banks, and the name changed again to the International Muffler Company (IMCO), which operated in Schulenburg until 2009.
Sengelmann
Hall
The current building that stands at 531 N. Main Street, was built by brothers Charles and Gus Sengelmann, immigrants from Hamburg, Germany. 21 The state of the art building was praised for its beautiful architecture and interior decoration and in 1902 was deemed "the most elegant saloon in the county " Sengelmann Hall, which was technically upstairs from the saloon, but boasted billiard tables and was the headquarters for the Liederkranz, a singing club, along with Schulenburg Lodge No. 14 Order of Hermann Sons. The social clubs and fraternities utilized the hall for various meetings and activities. The building also saw the local justice of the peace hold court in the upstairs.
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Downstairs, the brothers had an "elegant bar" with the famous Carrizo Springs Mineral Waters. The elixir was sold along with other wares to accompany a first class restaurant. C.J. Krischke reworked the interior of Sengelmann's trying to restore the original esthetic of the bar with intricate stencil work. The building was home to many business throughout the 20th Century. In 2009, an extensive renovation took place adding the current elevator and remodeled kitchen.
The hall hosted the restaurant and venue, Momma's at Sengelmann Hall, until early 2025.
Bibliography
Lotto, F. Fayette County: Her History and Her People. Schulenburg: Sticker Steam Press, 1902.
Herbrich, Audrey A. and Vicki Woodard, eds. Schulenburg: Halfway to Everywhere. San
Antonio: Historical Publishing Network, 2007.
Knapik, Jane. Schulenburg: 100 Years on the Road 1873-1973. United States: Nortex Offset
Publications Inc., 1973.