Known as the heart of New Braunfels, our beautiful downtown combines old-world charm and modern conveniences, boasting a lively retail and entertainment backdrop for visitors and residents alike. Surrounded by the beauty of historic buildings and landmarks, downtown is the setting for numerous festivals, community events, parades, and ceremonies. It is the home of both the city and county governments, as well as a booming marketplace for local business. Discover what downtown New Braunfels has to offer.

HISTORY

In 1846, Civil Engineer Nicolaus Zink designed the layout for Downtown New Braunfels and the adjoining acreage. He built the town on a human scale, which was designed to be walkable for residents and visitors coming to do business. This original concept of human-scale urbanism is being duplicated in many new shopping centers around the country but can be enjoyed in its most authentic form in Historic Main Street Districts like Downtown New Braunfels.

 

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DOWNTOWN NEW BRAUNFELS HISTORY

  • 1967
  • 1967

    The first recorded meeting of the DOWNTOWN MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION was April 24, 1967.  The founders had two main goals:  promote business for its 25 original members and improve the downtown parking situation. This association is the oldest continually operating downtown association in the state of Texas.

     

  • 1973

    In 1973, the by-laws were amended and the group was renamed NEW BRAUNFELS DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION. The requirement for membership was expanded to include not only downtown businesses, but anyone in the community with a keen interest in the continued growth, development and historic preservation of Downtown New Braunfels.

     

  • 1976

    During the New Braunfels Sesquicentennial, bronze and silver commemorative coins were minted and sold. A creative float was designed that depicted the bandstand and was entered in the parade.

     

  • 1991

    New Braunfels Downtown Association worked closely with the Chamber of Commerce and the City of New Braunfels to achieve Main Street designation.

     

  • 1998

    The association incorporated and became THE NEW BRAUNFELS DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION, INC. a 501 (c)(6) organization.

     

  • 2000
  • 2002

    Donations of trash receptacles and a bicycle rack were made by the New Braunfels DTA from funds raised at the 35th Anniversary Garden Party.

     

  • Ongoing

    Parking has been improved by working with partners like the Chamber of Commerce, City of New Braunfels, and Comal County. Individual property owners were allowed to remove parking meters, off street parking lots were added, and 2 hour parking limits were instituted for continued parking turnover.