Arriving in Texas in the mid 1840s, German farmers Ernst Gruene and his wife Antoinette reached the newly established city of New Braunfels but acreage was scarce. Thus, Ernst and his two sons purchased land just down river and started building. His second son, Henry D. Gruene, built his home (now Gruene  Mansion Inn) and several houses in various styles—a cottage (now The Pomegranate) and a frame house (now Gruene Haus). The first mercantile store (now Gruene General Store) was built in 1878 and a cotton gin (now Gristmill River Restaurant and Bar) was added soon after. A dance hall and saloon (Gruene Hall) was built the same year and became the center of the community’s social life. A new mercantile building (now Gruene Antique Company) was added in 1904. Sadly, the economic disasters of the boll weevil and the Great Depression were too much for the small businesses and they all closed, except for Gruene Hall which never did.

In 1975, Pat Molak bought Gruene Hall. With the help of his good friend Mary Jane Nalley, the duo worked to preserve the authentic, turn-of-the-century look and feel of Gruene by purchasing and repairing several more of the town’s most notable structures, turning them into thriving businesses. Their effort and attention seemed to rekindle the spark of Gruene and soon the town’s familiar bustling charm began to shine again. Today, Gruene Historic District is the perfect place to celebrate Texas culture and tradition in iconic fashion.