August 10, 2011 | No Comments | Category: Uncategorized | Tags: activities,amenities,community tour,downtown gruene,Havenwood,land for sale,live in texas,masterplanned communities,New Braunfels,New Braunfels land,premier homesites,rural,small town,Texas Hill Country,texas homesites,texas land
Those who live in the Texas Hill Country will tell you – nothing beats the genuine, charming feel of a small, Texas town. After all, there are so many tremendous benefits to living just outside a major metropolitan area.
First, small towns have a strong sense of community. The phrase “everybody knows everybody” carries a lot of weight, because smaller towns are quieter and have less people, allowing you and your family to enjoy the built-in community with your neighbors. Plus, smaller towns tend to support local business, keeping the economy strong.
Also, small towns ten do experience less traffic and the annoyances of taking a long time to drive from one place to the next. When most people imagine bit city life, the first thing that comes to mind is traffic and smog, but you won’t get that in the quiet Texas Hill Country.
Overall, the New Braunfels and Gruene areas have one of the least instances of crime in the state – yet another reason why families prefer to raise their children in small towns. Peace of mind knowing that your children are free to roam about and ride bikes with their friends is priceless!
Havenwood at Hunters Crossing is just miles away from San Antonio and Austin, so residents have easy access to the hustle and bustle of the city while enjoying the relaxing and laid-back atmosphere of your small town. Visit our website to learn more about the unique aspects that small town life has to offer, and let one of our sales representatives show you the homesite of your dreams!
July 20, 2011 | No Comments | Category: Uncategorized | Tags: activities,bed and breakfast,downtown gruene,gruene,gruene events,Gruene history,Havenwood,land for sale,live in texas,local events,New Braunfels,premier homesites,Texas Hill Country
One of the many things to love about visiting and living in the Texas Hill Country is the access to so many historic, unique bed and breakfasts in the area. The Gruene and New Braunfels areas in particular are packed with hundreds of the quaint homes that allow guests to relax and enjoy area scenery from shaded porches, german-inspired food and even the occasional farm animal sighting! Here is a list of places in the Gruene area that will give you a taste of what Texas living is all about:
The Gruene Mansion Inn Bed & Breakfast is located near New Braunfels, Texas in the historic community of Gruene, Texas. It offers quaint, historic rooms and mouthwatering home-cooked meals against the scenic backdrop of the Guadalupe River. The Mansion Inn shares the town with a number of other rustic Bed & Breakfasts, making Gruene an ideal place to soak up some Texas history. For a complete list of New Braunfels and Hill Country B&B’s, click here.
Gruene Homestead Inn: This country inn is located in New Braunfels, Texas, just outside of the Gruene Historical Disrict situated on eight acres of an original German homestead.
Gruene Apple Bed & Breakfast: For a relaxing family weekend or a romantic getaway, sample warm homemade biscuits, swim in the natural stone pool and gaze upon the Guadalupe river or historic Gruene from your private balcony.
Miss Milburn’s B&B: Beautiful cottage-like bed & breakfast located close to downtown and Gruene and shopping areas. Experience warm comfortable beds and hill country cooking.
Accents of Gruene: Constructed in the late 1800s, this historical home’s brick chimney’s and rosy brick walls transport you to a different time. Spacious breezeways and a lush garden make this the perfect visit.
Gruene River Inn: Located on the banks of the Guadalupe River, guests can take part in the antique shoppers paradise nearby, or simply enjoy beautiful and panoramic views.
Do you have a favorite Texas Hill Country Bed & Breakfast? Tell us about your stay! To learn more about making the Texas Hill Country your permanent home and building a dream house, visit us on our website.
July 7, 2011 | No Comments | Category: Uncategorized | Tags: activities,amenities,community tour,downtown gruene,gruene,gruene events,Gruene history,Havenwood,land for sale,live in texas,local events,masterplanned communities,New Braunfels,New Braunfels land,premier homesites,restaurant,Texas Hill Country,texas land
Just north of New Braunfels lies a small town that is anything but ordinary. Gruene, Texas dishes out a healthy dose of Hill Country charm and a sense of community that can be matched by few. Antique shops, restaurants, bed-and-breakfasts and Texas’ oldest dance hall entice visitors, with many of these businesses occupying original buildings from the town’s beginning in the mid-1840s. The Historic District is a thriving collection of “mom and pop” stores and restaurants that flourish and remain true to their small-town foundations.
When visiting a place like Gruene, one of the best ways to experience it is to indulge in the local flavor. The Gristmill River Restaurant and Bar, which is the original cotton gin, offers flavorful dishes that are guaranteed to make your mouth water. Under the protection of several giant oak trees, or perhaps in front of one of the stone fireplaces, sink your teeth into a juicy steak or a heaping burger. After dinner, head to the Gruene General Store (the original mercantile building) and pause for a drink at the soda fountain. As the sun sets, visitors and locals alike can relax on the spacious patio of The Grapevine and sample New World and Texas wines by the glass or bottle. Down the road, toes are free to tap as music springs to life at Gruene Hall where live music is available almost every night.
For the avid antique enthusiast, the mercantile building, which once held dry goods and housed Gruene’s original bank vault, is now home to the Gruene Antique Co. In this impressive Texas Landmark Building, 6,500 square feet of antiques, gifts and collectibles can be found. Lone Star, originally a Gruene family cottage, offers an eclectic assortment of furniture, gifts, candy, dinnerware, candles and accessories.
Preserving the authenticity of Gruene has been a long-time focus for those that love and protect the town. It is this that makes it an ideal and inviting place to come and slow your pace for a weekend and experience living history. Whatever your fancy, this small piece of the Texas landscape will delight and rejuvenate.
Plan your stay today! Visit www.gruenetexas.com for more details. Interested in living in Gruene? Havenwood is a special, masterplanned community adorned with majestic oak trees and rolling hills. You can enjoy the hill country sunsets from the porch of your very own custom-built home at Havenwood, with acres of land to explore. For more information on Texas hill country homesites, visit HavenwoodTexas.com.
June 22, 2011 | No Comments | Category: Uncategorized | Tags: activities,downtown gruene,gruene,Gruene history,live in texas,New Braunfels,New Braunfels land,Texas Hill Country,texas homesites,texas land
Gruene, Texas is a lively and vivacious community nestled in Texas hill country within the city limits of New Braunfels. Gruene’s history speaks of the rise of a town, its fall from prosperity, and its reinvention in the 1970s, turning it into the remarkable place it is today.
In 1872, first generation German American farmer Heinrich D. Gruene purchased 6,000 acres of farmland and planted cotton. It was Gruene’s second son, Henry D. Gruene that made cotton the number one cash crop in the area and a hub for shipping and banking. This attracted families to the surrounding areas, causing Gruene to grow. A mercantile store was built, and the town sprang forth, prosperous and successful. Unfortunately, the Depression and other economic factors led to the collapse of the family business in 1920. The town fell into disrepair and became a shadow of its former self.
It remained so until 1974, which brought about the arrival of Pat Molak. Seeking an environment different from that of the big city, Molak discovered the ruins of the once-thriving Gruene, and began to breathe life back into the flourishing community that stands today. Molak restored the town’s genuine look by renovating many of the buildings and houses and turning them into prosperous businesses. It is interesting to note that several of the houses that Henry D. Gruene originally built are still standing and in use today. A large frame house that Henry built for the foreman of his farm is now Gruene Haus and his Victorian cottage is now Lone Star. What is now Gruene General Store was once the town’s first mercantile store, and the cotton gin, which was powered by the Guadalupe River, is now Gristmill River Restaurant and Bar. Gruene Hall was once a dance hall and saloon, the small community’s main source of entertainment at the time.
Because of Molak’s work, Gruene has been added to the National Register of Historic Places, and many of the buildings that were rescued have been awarded a Texas medallion from the Texas Historical Commission. It is also sought by visitors and is thought of as a premiere attraction. Beginning with Gruene and carried on by Molak, this is truly a Southern treasure!
June 1, 2011 | No Comments | Category: Uncategorized | Tags: activities,community tour,downtown gruene,gruene,gruene events,gruene market days,Havenwood,land for sale,live in texas,local events,masterplanned communities,Texas Hill Country,texas homesites,texas land
On the third full weekend of every month, starting in February and going through September, you will find downtown Gruene, Texas, a bustle with handmade arts and crafts, rare finds and antique treasures. The Old Gruene Market Days have supported local vendors for who proudly sell their own wares for several years now, and it shows no signs of slowing down.
Texas Hill Country residents and visitors alike enjoy the wide range of items including jewelry, candles, crafts, ceramics, metal art, furniture and clothing made 100 percent by the vendors themselves. Downtown Gruene businesses and restaurants also participate in the fun by welcoming market day participants in to see what all the buzz is about. Even the scenery is a draw – beautiful oak trees line the quaint streets, and german-style houses frame the backdrop of the rolling hills and the calming sunsets that South Texas is famous for.
Admission to Old Gruene Market Days is free, and live music is playing as you stroll the grounds of the Adobe Verde restaurant. If you live out of town, it’s worth the trip! Hope to see you there next month!
Those who live in the Texas Hill Country will tell you – nothing beats the genuine, charming feel of a small, Texas town. After all, there are so many tremendous benefits to living just outside a major metropolitan area.
