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In 1845, Prince Carl of Solms-Braunfels and a group of emigrants set
out to find a new home in Texas. The Prince chose a site on the Comal
River because of its abundant water, lush vegetation, and what is
called "a good omen" and there he and his band of pioneers formed New
Braunfels.
For his personal home,
Prince Carl chose a hill overlooking the beginnings of the town and
began his plan to build a castle on the site. His home was to be called
"Sophienburg", or "Sophie's Castle", for his fiancée, Lady Sophia,
Princess of Salm-Salm. However, when he sent for Sophia, she refused to
leave Germany.
In a move that baffles native Texans to this day, Prince Carl chose his
fiancée over Texas and returned to Germany to marry Sophia. He never
returned to Texas.
Today, the Sophienburg Museum and Archives resides on the hill chosen long ago by Prince Carl. |
