Some dating back to the late 1800s, they are mostly gifts from Walter Faust, Jr., Emmie Grube, and the Eiband family. The collection ladies have put together a dandy display of beer steins. In 1969 the entire Eiband and Fischer property was purchased by local investors and eventually sold to the New Braunfels Utilities.Īfter you’ve been to Wurstfest, polka on up the hill to the Sophienburg and learn some NB history. Wurstfest only stayed in the hole for three years and then moved to Landa’s cottonseed storage building, now known as Wursthalle. With a little bit of imagination, you could look up and visualize what Eiband and Fischer had been. Resembling a WWII bombed out shelter, it was transformed by the magic of music, lights, and celebration. The old Eiband and Fischer vault left in the hole was an innovative, cool place for food and beer storage.Ĭertain times and places conjure up pleasant visions, and in my memory bank is Wurstfest in the hole. The basement hole was cleared out, colored lights hung in the air and for three years, it was a popular place for that celebration. Now Wurstfest enters the picture fourteen years later in 1963. The gaping hole on the Plaza sat there for years, ugly and empty, a reminder of that fire. Stafford says that the cause of the fire is still not known but that there was speculation of a defective small motor in the basement.Ī small part of the store was left (where the Utilities building is) and the corporation continued business for a few years. By the time the fire department got there, the damage was done to the building, and one fireman, Ernst Alves, was killed. Beginning in the basement, the fire raged undetected during the night until the early morning hours when a salesman called on Naegelin’s Bakery next door and noticed smoke. Then came that fateful day of the largest fire downtown since the Seekatz Opera House burned. Up until March 2, 1947, Eiband and Fischer Store was a thriving business. Marijane Fischer Stafford is the daughter of Carlo and has been researching the store history for the last few years. Also in that management team was Fischer’s son, Carlo. After a few years this staircase was torn out, the mezzanine closed, and the basement was opened up.įinally the store was incorporated and run by Eiband’s sons, Ernst Jr., James, Anselm, and daughter Mrs. Sporting a skylight in the middle of the roof and a grand staircase to the mezzanine, the store held a spectacular opening, even allowing other merchants to display their goods. Under their leadership, Eiband and Fischer opened a modern establishment in 1912. In 1907 the store was sold to Ernst Eiband, brother of George, and Emil Fischer. The store was eventually bought by George Knocke and George Eiband and became Knoke and Eiband. He enlarged the store, even adding a campground out back for those who came to town from the country. It was located where the Utilities parking lot is and here’s the story:Īt first a store owned by Gustavus Conrads was located in this spot and in 1864 it was bought by Ernst Sherff. This is where the “hole in the ground” comes in. Two years later in November of 1963, the celebration moved downtown. Herb Skoog recalls that the first celebration was going to be in Landa Park, but because of rain it had to be moved to the National Guard Armory. Ed Grist, and organized by Grist, Joe Faust and Tom Purdum, Wurstfest had its beginning in December of 1961. The brainchild of veterinarian and city meat inspector Dr. Of course, this wasn’t the first location. Long before the Chicken Dance entered the city limits, the Wurstfest was held in a hole in the ground next to Main Plaza. Bottled water will cost $2.Get ready to celebrate New Braunfels’ heritage. An import cup of beer will cost $9, a pitcher of imported beer is $36, and a one liter stein will cost $26. A domestic cup of beer will cost $7, a pitcher of domestic beer will cost $29 and a one liter stein will cost $22. Beer vendors will only accept tickets, no cash. People can already purchase drink tickets as well as admission tickets. Wurstfest offers free admission from November 7 to November 10 from 5 to 10 p.m. The early purchase price is $18, $20 at the gate. The last day to buy the early price tickets is November 3. It's cheaper if visitors purchase tickets in advance rather than the day of the event. Here are some early notes about Wurstfest: Admission tickets The event helps promote "local commerce" and "preserve the community's heritage." The festival also helps local organizations raise money for community projects, according to the Wurstfest website. The festival will feature food, music, dancing, and carnival rides, located at 120 Landa St., New Braunfels, TX 78130. Wurstfest is scheduled from November 4 through November 13 in new Braunfels.
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