Monday, April 8, 2013

Oldest Tavern in the United States - Gruene, Texas


Yesterday we found out that Dick and Janet Kirkman were also camped at Potter's Creek. They are a couple that we know from Winter Ranch. They asked if we wanted to tour Gruene, Texas with them and then have dinner at the Italian restaurant in Canyon City.

We were a little disappointed that the oldest tavern in the United States in Gruene wasn't open until evening. We were walking around taking pictures of the outside when the janitor came out and asked if we would like to see the inside. So, we were able to get some pictures of the inside of the place. The janitor told us that he pretty much stays away from the place on weekend nights because the crowds get really rowdy and the cowboys almost always start fights. It doesn't sound like a place to visit on the weekends.






The building in which Tavern in the Gruene is located dates back to the 1940′s when it was a Texas pole barn used to store farm equipment and as housing for sheep and hogs that were being raised by Edwin Hanz and his family.  In 1992, Ed and Billie Miles purchased the 8 acres on Gruene Road in New Braunfels with plans to develop Gruene Homestead Inn.  The building was renovated, enclosed, and turned into an upscale restaurant in 1998.  By early 2001, the restaurant had closed and the building was then used as an event center called Hanz Hall.  About a year later, in May of 2002, the Tavern opened and it will be here for years to come.





After we visited the tavern, we did some walking around the shops in Gruen.






Janet and Dick

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