Boerne White Sox

As Boerne’s Little League Team made its historic World Series run in 2024, baseball has deep roots in Boerne. The story of The Boerne White Sox right after this.

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On Johns Road heading west, just after you cross Cibolo Creek, look on the right for the stadium lights of Bower Field, where the ghosts of the Boerne White Sox last played. Other home fields were on Saunders and James Street near the Methodist Church, then on North Main where the lap track is behind the Mitchell Center…there was a field on the Kendall County Fair Grounds, and the “Ice Plant Field” on Plant Street…which is why it’s called Plant Street…that’s where they made ice.

Baseball came to Boerne around 1900, and the first picture of a White Sox Team is from 1912. Boerne White Sox players’ names you might recognize include Fabra, Ebensberger, Bergmann, and one you might not remember…Charlie English from the 1940’s who went on to play pro-ball with the St. Louis Cardinals.

I’m Tom Allred with Boerne Texas History and this is Boerne Radio 103.9FM

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In 1862, when Kendall County was brand new, its people chose a young man — just 28 years old — to wear the star. The story of Kendall County’s first Sheriff…John William Sansom right after this.

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John William Sansom wasn’t just any lawman. Born in Alabama, raised in Texas, he’d already seen his share of frontier fights. He was a scout, a soldier, a man who could track through cedar and rock and not lose his way. And when the Civil War broke out, he was opposed to leaving the Union but stayed loyal to Texas. Sansom traveled to Austin and met with Governor Sam Houston to offer his services. Houston gave him a Colt revolver instead.

As sheriff, he rode against rustlers and bandits. Later, as a Texas Ranger captain, he faced far greater dangers — Comanche raids, border outlaws, and even the infamous Nueces Massacre, where neighbors turned on neighbors in a time of bitter division.

John William Sansom survived it all. He kept the peace when there was precious little of it. And he lived until 1920 to the age of 86 — and rests next to his wife Victoria in Mission Burial Park South in San Antonio.

I’m Tom Allred with Boerne Texas History

and this is Boerne Radio 103.9FM.

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The Live Oak Shopping Center, located on North Main at School Street, has had numerous businesses throughout the years…The Dollar Tree is one of the latest…but another 5 and Dime Varity Store located there named Winn’s had a Boerne connection. The story of Mr. Murray Arvin Winn Jr. right after this.

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At their peak, 106 of Winn’s stores dotted Texas and surrounding states—and then Walmart came to town.

Murray Arvin Winn, Jr. graduated from St. Mary’s University in 1935 with an accounting degree to help run the family business. After selling the stores in the 1950s, Murray saw something few others could see—pastures northeast of San Antonio… that he transformed into a brand-new community. He called it Windcrest.

And when it was time to retire… he and his beloved wife Barbee chose the Hill Country—settling right here in Boerne, worshipping at First United Methodist Church.

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In the charming Hill Country town of Comfort, Texas… stands a grand limestone building that has welcomed travelers for nearly a century and a half.

Today, it’s known as Hotel Giles—named after famed San Antonio architect Alfred Giles, who designed it in 1880… at just 27 years old. The story of Giles in Comfort…right after this.

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Originally, The Giles was the Ingenhuett Hotel, commissioned by local pioneers Peter Ingenhuett and Marie Karger. Back then, stagecoaches rolled through town, and weary guests found rest in its dog-run layout, stone fireplace, and copper roof.

As Comfort grew, so did the hotel. Giles returned in 1894 to add elegant arches and Gothic charm. It was later renamed the Faust Hotel in 1909… but after World War II, as motels took over and German heritage faced prejudice, the old hotel closed its doors.

Then came the rescue.

In 1985, Dr. Bob and Diane Potter restored the fading landmark and earned it Texas Historical Landmark status.

I’m Tom Allred with Boerne Texas History and this is Boerne Radio 103.9FM.

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The first two-room schoolhouse in Boerne opened in 1874 and served all grades.

In 1909, they dreamed bigger — opening the doors to the first real high school in Boerne on East Blanco. The story of Boerne High…right after this.

Before it was City Hall, Boerne High School opened in 1910 when students rode in on horseback, learned by lantern light, and graduated with calloused hands and big ambitions.

In 1951, the school moved to a larger campus on Johns Road, and by 1971, Boerne High School as we know it today was born.

Home of the Greyhounds…
Where championships were won, futures were formed, and Boerne pride was passed from one class to the next.

And though the buildings have changed, the spirit never has.

Because in Boerne, education isn’t just about books.

It’s about roots.

And now you know…more BoerneTexas History…I’m Tom Allred, and this is Boerne Radio 103.9FM

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At the corner of Main Street and Rosewood is the home of Texas Treasures Fine Art Gallery. But back in the 80’s…the 1880’s…Mr. William Kuhlmann opened Kuhlmann’s Apothecary…one of the first drug stores in Boerne.

More on this historic Boerne corner…right after this.

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William Kuhlmann was a druggist by trade, and built his home on the hill behind the old high school on Blanco Road known as the Kuhlmann-King House.

His drugstore was purchased by William J. Wilke shortly after 1900. Willie was the son of a Berghiem farmer, and earned his high school diploma by correspondence after finishing the 7th grade at the one-teacher Bergheim school.

He then graduated from pharmacy school at the University of Maryland. In 1909, William Wilke was to become Boerne’s first Mayor.

I’m Tom Allred with Boerne Texas History and this is Boerne Radio 103.9FM.

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Behind the old City Hall Building is The Kuhlmann-King House, sitting on what is known as Boerne’s Historic Hill…So who was William Kuhlmann and who was Selina King? The answer…and tragic story…right after this.

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In 1885 William Kuhlmann and his bride Marie immigrated from Germany to Boerne for a better life. He built that home, and the building next door for their kitchen and washroom. They lived there until Marie died during childbirth along with their infant in 1896. Selina King with her 8 children rented the house for 5 years, and purchased it from Mr. Kuhlmann. Selina King was not from Germany. She came to Boerne in 1882 from England with her husband Edmund King as the family leased The Boerne Hotel before it was called the Kendall Inn. Edmund King was killed behind the hotel in an accident while cleaning his gun. Widow King continued to raise her kids in Boerne and died in 1910 at the age of 78.

I’m Tom Allred with Boerne Texas History and this is Boerne Radio 103.9FM.

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When you meander past the Starbucks on Upper Balcones, you’ll find Dodge Road…named after Frederick J. Dodge, who was a Texas cattleman at the end of his life, but in the middle…well, we’ll tell you more about Detective Fred Dodge right after this.

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Fred Dodge worked as a lawman and as an undercover agent for Wells Fargo in California, Nevada, and Arizona - protecting stagecoaches and solving train holdups.

He became a constable in Tombstone, Arizona, where he befriended the legendary Wyatt Earp. In fact, Dodge’s diaries were the basis for the book The Life and Times of Wyatt Earp, and they also documented his encounters with the Doolin and Dalton Gangs. In 1906, Dodge came to Leon Springs on vacation and fell in love with the Texas Hill Country. He purchased 2000 acres and named it Dodge Ranch. Dodge died in 1938 at the age of 84 and is buried in the Boerne Cemetery.

I’m Tom Allred with Boerne Texas History, and this is Boerne Radio 103.9FM.

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