Gruene has been recognized by the Texas travel industry as a premiere attraction for visitors.
Gruene is pronounced “green”.
Once a very significant cotton producing community, Gruene is now listed among the Historic Places in the National Register. Now supported largely by tourism, it lies entirely within the city of New Braunfels along the Guadalupe River.
The history of this town goes back to the year 1872. A German American of the first generation, Heinrich D. Gruene, a farmer, bought six thousand acres of farmland along the Guadalupe River, 3 miles north of New Braunfels. He planted cotton and built his house. This was quickly followed by the establishment of a town called Goodwin, leading to a flourishing community that was bustling with farming and commercial activity.
By the 1900, this town had become a thriving banking, shipping and ginning center for cotton farming. However, in the 1920s, there was a boll weevil blight outbreak which decimated the town. Then cane the the great depression. By 1930, the total population was only 75. It was even bypassed by the post World War II highway construction, making it a virtual ghost town.
In the early 70s, there was an effort to restore the area’s structures. These included the old mercantile store and the Gruene Hall. This restoration effort continued on through the 1980s and still goes on today making Gruene a thriving tourism center. Many structures from the old days still exist and these form the core attractions.
Among the most popular places is the Victorian-style edifice that is the Gruene Family Home of 1872. It operates as the Gruene Mansion Inn. There is also the renovated historic water tower that now has shops, restaurants and a wine tasting room.
This town is famous for its richness in tourist activities. Wine tasting, gives tourists a chance to experience and sample different wines. The Gruene Market Days are another popular attraction. All the products that are sold in the market are made by the vendors themselves. This gives it that exclusive appeal. The market days are held every 3rd full weekend of February through November. One is also held on the first week of December.
In the Guadalupe River, tourists also get to enjoy a variety of water recreation activities including tubing, canoe trips and rafting. There are also plenty of unique and interesting shops for those enjoying the river.
There are plenty of places to stay, ranging from quaint bed and breakfast inns, to nearby hotels.
Conveniently located on the Guadalupe River, technically in New Braunfels, Gruene is also just a few minutes drive down River Road to Canyon Lake. What a great spot for a vacation.
