James Tidmarsh Clarke
moved his family from Brooklyn, New York and landed in western Texas, running a
hotel in the city of Boerne. The images and the description here are from a
1906 pamphlet put out by the city of Boerne and had notations in it made by
James' son, Stanleigh T.
Clarke.
Boerne, Texas, Summer and Winter Resort
The Comfort News Press, Comfort, Texas 1906
Introductory
This booklet descriptive of the little town of Boerne, (Kendall County) Texas, is designed to furnish certain information to persons who may be interested in learning something of the climate, location, resources etc. of what is one of the oldest health resorts in the most favored sections of the Lone Star State. This little book is in no sense a boom pamphlet, but is intended simply to answer some of the many inquires regarding Boerne which are being constantly received from persons in different parts of the country who have heard something of this resort but wish to know more. Should any reader of this little book desire additional information on some point not touched upon herein, he can secure it by addressing any one of the business people whose names appear in the directory on the last page.
Boerne
The history of Borne dates back to 1852 when a band of settlers, attracted by the rare beauty of this locality, founded the little town which now numbers about 1000 inhabitants and which entertains every year several hundred strangers within its gates, who come here from all parts of the country to enjoy its delightful and health-giving climate, and to rest in the quietude of its seclusion among the beautify hills of West Texas. Boerne is the county seat of Kendall county. The town is nicely laid out with broad, tree-lined streets, with an air of solidity and comfort about it which speaks well for its builders. The population is largely German, with a fair sprinkling of English and Americans. There is a sedateness and quiet charm about the place which never fails to impress visitors.
Location
Boerne is located 30 miles northwest of the city of
San Antonia, on the San Antonia and Aransas Pass Rail Road, and lies on both
sides of the Cibolo river, a rushing mountain stream which has it headwaters a
few miles about town and winds its way through a fertile valley which stretches
away several miles on both sides to lofty , oak-clad hills-"The Texas Alps," as
they have been very fittingly called. In the character of the soil and the lay
of the land Nature has provided Boerne with a system of drainage which could
not be surpassed. The country is well wooded and covered with verdure;
consequently, such a thing as "Texas dust storm" is never known here.
Altitude
The elevation of Boerne is 1400 feet above the level of the sea. This is, for many reasons, a most desirable altitude, affording a light, dry atmosphere, and yet avoiding all of the undesirable features of very high altitudes.
Climate
In the matter of climate Boerne enjoys a distinction which has extended back half a century among persons who, for the sake of either health or pleasure, sought a pure, dry atmosphere, with skies bright and sunny throughout the greater part of the year, and an air singularly free of miasma. The winters are mild and generally dry, making it possible for one to spend the days pleasantly out of doors. In the summer the days are warm but never oppressive, owing to the dryness and lightness of the atmosphere and to the refreshing breezes. Then nights are cool.
Water Supply
This is a question of vital importance to the healthy as well as the sick, and Boerne answers it satisfactorily. Her water is drawn from wells which have their source in living streams, and its purity and healthfulness are beyond question. Typhoid fever and similar ills which result from impure water are practically unknown.
Hotels
The fine climate and other natural advantages of Boerne having made it necessary for her to assume the role of hostess to many visitors throughout the year, she is fully equipped with excellent accommodations for their comfort and entertainment, there being four regular hotels and several boarding houses in the town.
Ranches
For those who prefer to live in the country there are a number of well conducted ranches near Boerne, where one ;may secure excellent accommodations, and at the same time experience the joys of ranch life. Should any one wish to get still closer to Nature, there remains for him the privilege of living in a tent. Hundreds of persons in this favored climate live comfortably the year around in that way.
Cost of Living
The cheapness in the cost of living in Boerne is in itself one of the strong attractions of the place. Board and lodging at the hotels may be had at from $25.00 to $35.00 per month, and at the ranches and boarding houses it is even more moderate. The quality of the fare provided by these resorts is excellent. The Farms, gardens and dairies around Boerne furnish fresh milk, butter, eggs, poultry, vegetables, fruit etc., while two well equipped meat markets supply a variety of fresh meats. Persons who prefer to keep house will find rents moderate.
Summer Visitors
Boerne is, as we have remarked before, the resort of visitors
throughout the entire year, but its most popular season is probably from May to
October, with
the three real summer months leading all the others in point of
popularity. During this period visitors from the heated cities come to the
little mountain of Boerne for the tonic effect of its bright bracing days and
coo, restful nights. Many of these visitors have been making this place their
regular summer resort year after year, which is in itself the strongest proof
of Boerne's attractions that could be offered.
Accessibility
The fact that Boerne is located on the rail road, and only 30 miles from the city of San Antonio, itself a railroad center, gives to Boerne an easy accessibility which counts greatly in its favor. Two trains each way pass Boerne every day, and the trip to San Antonio is a matter of only an hour and a half. Business men pass their summers in Boerne find it an easy matter to spend Sundays her with them without sacrificing time from business.
Amusements
In the matter of healthful and attractive amusements Boerne presents quite a variety ot her visitors. Fine roads lead from the town in numerous directions, furnishing opportunity for drives or horseback rides to points of interest and beauty which have been properly described in a special folder of their own. Game abounds in the surrounding country, and fishing may be enjoyed in the Cibolo and Guadalupe rivers. The town itself possesses an opera house, a public amusement hall, a band stand in the plaza where free concerts are given weekly by a really excellent band. There are also balls and other diversions.
Resources
A proper idea of the character and completeness of Boerne's business enterprises may be gained from the Business Directory on the following pages. The town also has two good schools, three churches, a newspaper, an up-to-date telephone exchange with extensive long distance connections, a fire company with modern engine and gook-and-ladder truck. The country immediately adjacent to Boerne is devoted to farming, truck and fruit raising; while the hill country surrounding the galley furnishes pasture for cattle, sheep and goat raising, the last named being a great and growing industry in this locality.
Business Directory
- Business Men's Club: *Jos. Dienger, Pres., W. J. Wilke, Sec. & Treas.
- Banks: Boerne State Bank (Incorporated). *H.J. Graham (Unincorporated)
- Baker: Louis Ort.
- Blacksmith: *Weyrich & Harz; *Aug. Theis; G. Weiss
- Barbers: *F. Boyce; Mead & Shipp
- Confectionery: Miss Emma Wilke.
- Bottling Works & Beer Agency; Emil Schwethelm
- Dentist: *M. L. Pyron Boarding
- Houses: F. Adler; *Mrs. A.G. Vogt; L.A Leonard; Ch. Reinhard
- Drug Stores: A. H. Bruhl; *W. J. Willke
- Dry Goods: Mrs. Jo Vogt
- Elect. Light, Corn Mill & Gin: *Chas. Reinhard
- Fruit: *L. N. Lavallee
- Fancy Grocery: Dan Meckel
- Hardware, Windmills Etc.: *Wm. Ziegler
- Hotels: Becker House; *Boerne Hotel; *Phillips House; St. James Hotel
- Gen'l Merchandise: H. O. Adler; *J. Dienger; C. Gerfers; J. P. Harkreader; *A. & H. Wendler
- Livery Stables; U. F. Shirar; *C. H. Schrader and Bro
- Implements: *Albert Kutzer,
- Furniture, Undertaking Etc.: *D. A. Foote; *C.O.Ebensberger
- Ice Depot: C. C. McFarland
- Millinery: *Mrs. W. Willke
- Law & Land: Hays & Jones; *F. W. Schweppe
- Newspaper: The Boerne Star
- Lumber, Paint etc.: *C. O. Ebensberger; King and King
- Meat Markets: J. C. Breed; *L. Fabra
- Ranches: *Reinhard's "Walnut Grove" Ranch; *McFarland's "Rob Roy" ranch and dairy; *Bergman's "Kreuzberg" Ranch
- Physicians: J. F. Nooe; W. T. Reeve
- Saloons and Halls: *Max Beseler; J. M. Galloway; *Louis Ort
- Real Estate & Insurance: *H. J. Graham; Kimbler & Ziegler; U. F. Shirar & Co.
- Tinware & Stoives: *L. Vollbrecht
- Watchmaker: S. F. Knight
- *St Mary's Sanitarium