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Located approximately 40 miles southwest of Austin, Texas, the town of Gruene is a treasure hunter's paradise. From antiques to assorted honeys to fine wine, this small, restored turn of the century town offers the tourist some of the most nostalgic Texas travel of all. From Austin, take I-35 south to exit 306. Turn right onto 306, and left on Hunter Road for a short trek to Gruene.
The first settlers of Gruene were of German descent, arriving in Galveston, Texas in the mid 1840's and traveling to first settle New Braunfels, Texas. Land in New Braunfels quickly sold, and many of the settlers of this fertile hub spread to the outlying areas northward where the farmland was rich and fertile. On the banks of the Guadalupe River, four miles from the center of New Braunfels, Henry D. Gruene, son of Ernest Gruene, in 1872 bought acreage with his father and brothers, envisioning an immense cotton farm. Henry built the first house, a stuccoed brick, in Goodwin community, and soon after became the founding father of the city we now know as, Gruene. In 1886, the house was enlarged by adding a second floor and Victorian galleries on three sides.
Cotton, becoming the largest cash crop of the area, drew 20-30 families to the area, most of whom worked on the Gruene farm. In 1878, the first mercantile store was built by H.D. Gruene, a store offering a range of items used by the people of the area, as well as common needs for the travelers who rode through on the stagecoach from Austin to San Antonio. Henry also opened the first cotton gin, powered by the rushing waters of the Guadalupe River. The original gin burned in 1922, and was replaced by an electric gin. The remaining brick boiler house is now known as, "The Gristmill Restaurant and Bar."
In the 1880's, Gruene built a saloon, providing entertainment for the settlers, employees, and migrant workers of the area, which became the center of the social life of the community. The bar, known as, "Gruene Hall," still stands at the intersection of Gruene and Hunter Roads, and has seen performers such as Garth Brooks, George Strait, and Clint Black perform there. Several years ago a scene from the movie, "Michael," starring John Travolta and Andy McDowell was shot in Gruene Hall. The movie producers removed the "Gruene Hall" sign from the front of the building and replaced it temporarily with a sign that read, "Tom's."
H.D. Gruene, in 1907, built a new mercantile because the business of the area was so rife. In addition to the new mercantile, he built houses for the foreman of his farms, and other homes for his family. In 1920, when Henry Gruene died, development of the area ceased. In 1925-1929 economic disaster came with the boll weevil and the Depression. Overextended credit through the Depression caused even the mercantile to close and Gruene became, virtually, a ghost town. In 1974-1975, when much of the Gruene estate was sold, life renewed in the area due to the West-Leach and Associates group and their recognition of the value of the historic structures in the area. Business were established and Gruene was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Today, Gruene offers fine food, wine, and excellent shopping for the antique hunter or art collector, as well as the weekend crafter. "The Gruene General Store," located at 1607 Hunter Road, on the corner of Gruene and Hunter Roads, has a wealthy selection of exotic fudges, jams, jellies, and honeyed-butters, with samples available for the tourist who has a palate for sweet treasures. The traveler will also find antiques, a soda fountain, collectable tins, cards, salsas, teeshirts, hats, old tin signs, and unusual books at this location.
Cactus Jack's Antiques, 1706 Hunter Road, offers a wide array of "primitive and country" antiques and collectibles. The Gruene Antique Company touts over 8,000 square feet of collectibles and memorabilia, and is located at the corner of Gruene and Hunter Roads, across the street from The Gruene General Store. Gruene Haus-A Country Store, located at 1297 Gruene Road, offers antiques, gifts, lace curtains, ladies accessories and Jeep Collins jewelry. Hampe House, 1640 Hunter Road, has fine antique furniture, stained glass, and other treasures.
If Christmas is your delight, then be sure to stop by Gruene Marketplatz, 1244 Gruene Road, two turn of the century cottages which offer "year ‘round" Museum quality toys & gifts. Cotton Eyed Joe's, 1608 Hunter Road, has a wide range of novelty teeshirts and memorabilia to offer the Texas traveler. Gruene Outfitters at 1629 Hunter Road, will outfit the angler/ sportsman with unique fishing tackle to tantalize even the hardest to catch freshwater trout.
After a day of sight-seeing and shopping, relax in the rustic atmosphere of Adobe Verde, a first class "Tex-Mex" restaurant, located at 1724 Hunter Road, with indoor and outdoor seating available. If your choice of dining is upscale, visit Gruene Mansion Inn for candlelight cuisine, overlooking the Guadalupe River at 1275 Gruene Road.
"One of the most unique dining spots in Texas," the Gristmill River Restaurant and Bar, overlooking the Guadalupe River, in the ruins of a 100 year old cotton gin, offers steaks, salads, burgers, chicken, fish, and incredible desserts. And, when your day is finished and you'd like to wind down some, come have a brew and do some country dancing at Gruene Hall, 1281 Gruene Road. Check out the wall of fame for "past patrons and performers" (just inside the front door) and see who has frequented Gruene Hall prior to your visit.
Accommodations for the night can be found at, Gruene's Silo Inn, 1609 Waterway Lane, a renovated 1940 grain silo offering private whirlpool baths, cable TV, and a lovely country setting. Other bed and breakfasts include: Gruene Homestead Inn, 832 Gruene Road, and, Gruene Mansion Inn, 1275 Gruene Road. Make Gruene, Texas a place you'll visit to find your treasures, be they for peace and relaxation or for projected profit!
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