VISITORS GUIDE: GUADALUPE COUNTY

Tejano

Seguin, the county seat of Guadalupe County, was named for Juan N. Seguin, an early landowner and Tejano hero in the War against Mexico. A bronze statue depicting "Seguin on horseback, holding forward his saber to defend Texas Independence" can be seen in Central Park, a square in the heart of Seguins downtown district which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. A permanent exhibit about Juan Seguin can be seen at the Teatro de Artes de Juan Seguin, 921 W. New Braunfels. The Ballet Folklorico De La Rosa performs throughout the year and an annual recital is held in the Spring. The Fiesta Patrias Diez y Seis Celebration is held in September.

DeWitt Colonists

Seguin was founded first as Walnut Springs by a group of Rangers from Gonzales County. Artifacts donated by descendants of these families can be seen at the Heritage Museum. An exciting way to learn more about this era is the "True Women" tour that is based on sites mentioned in the novel by Seguin native Janice Woods Windle. The tours are arranged by the Seguin Chamber of Commerce, phone or . A virtual tour is available at www.visitseguin.com.

German

A modest adobe building built in 1849 for Justus Gombert, a German immigrant, is now the home of the Los Nogales Museum. The Doll House next to the museum was hand built by Louis Dietz, a German-born cabinet maker around 1909 as a playhouse for his adopted daughter. A collection of German newspapers from Seguins early days can be seen at the Heritage Museum. The Nolte Bank (now Wells Fargo) was established by German immigrant Eduard Nolte and designed by J. Reily Gordon, the states most prominent architect in the 1890s. Seguin was on the trail from Indianola to New Braunfels. Ask for the Indianola Trail Visitors Guide at the Chamber of Commerce.

African American

Rare pieces of pottery from the Wilson Pottery can be seen at the Heritage Museum. The Pottery was established by John McKamey Wilson Jr., minister and potter, who trained his slaves to be potters and to read and write. After the Civil War three of his former slaves formed their own pottery, and one, the Rev. Hiram Wilson, is credited with being the first black businessman in Texas. There is also an exhibit on Seguin-born Smoky Joe Williams, a pitching star in the old Negro League and a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Other

"Walking Tour of Seguin," available at the Chamber of Commerce includes a calaboose jail on wheels used to haul prisoners to work on county roads ... Heritage Tour of Homes is held the first week of December each year ... Luncheons held first Tuesday of each month at the Moore Home, a Registered Texas Historic Landmark ... The "Worlds Largest Pecan," a tribute to Seguin pecan industry in front of the Guadalupe County Courthouse ... across the street is Vivrouxs, a hardware store in the same family for five generations that features hardwood floors and pressed tin ceilings ... "Freedom Fiesta" held Independence Day Holiday and weekend since 1905 ... more than 5,000 nutcrackers on display at Papes Pecan House ... Antique stores ... Bed and Breakfasts ... Mayfest Arts and Crafts show at Seguin-Guadalupe County Coliseum ... Symphony performances by the Mid-Texas Symphony, September through May Annual Teatro de Artes de Juan Seguin Noche de Gala Mariachi Competition (March) Geronimo Volunteer Fire Department Breakfast and Market Days (April) and Volunteer Fire Department Sausage Dinner at New Berlin (August) ... Multi-cultural Christmas exhibit at Heritage Museum (December).