Hidden in a quiet, historic neighborhood, just a few blocks from New Braunfels’ charming downtown scene sits The Sophienburg Museum and Archives. The museum is situated on the very land where Prince Carl of Solms-Braunfels established a small colony, (just on the edge of Indian territory) in the hopes of building a fortress (which was to be called “Fort Sophie,” after his beloved Princess Sophie) in 1845. The fortress was never built as Prince Carl couldn’t stand being away from Germany and his Princess, but he and his small army of fellow Germans left behind a legacy rich in ingenuity, pride, and prosperity.
The Archives is one of the largest repositories that chronicle the German immigration movement to Texas. With documents that include immigration ship passenger lists, over one million images and a huge collection of local newspapers (in German and in English) dating from 1852 to present day, researchers and genealogy buffs alike can find exactly what they’re looking for in the Archives’ six major collections. There are also German translators available to assist in translating German documents into English.
The Sophienburg Museum of History is a delightful outing offering visitors a glimpse of what life was like for German immigrants in Texas. Currently, the museum’s focus is on World War I and its impact on Comal County. With so much of New Braunfels’ population being of German descent, the war placed these loyal citizens in conflict with their German heritage. About 500 New Braunfels citizens answered the call to serve our country in the Armed Forces during World War I, making an impact on the community as well as the world.
While there are many more popular tourist destinations in New Braunfels, The Sophienburg shouldn’t be overlooked. Here are three reasons to pay the museum a visit on your next trip to New Braunfels: