City of Schertz

City of Schertz Municipal Water Report Info
The City of Schertz traces its roots to Alsace Lorraine, France. Joseph and Anna Schertz immigrated to Texas with six of their ten children in October 1843 aboard the Jean Key De Teau. They were drawn by promises of lower taxes, affordable land, and better wages offered by Henri Castro, Council General of Texas to France.

After arriving in Galveston in 1844, the family traveled through Indianola to San Antonio. Tragically, they lost Anna and daughter Affre to illness during the journey. Following a year of hardship and unfulfilled promises, the Schertz family decided to return to Europe but encountered Prince Carl of Solms-Braunfels, who was establishing New Braunfels colony.

Moved by their circumstances, Prince Solms-Braunfels offered them a half-acre town lot and ten-acre farm parcel to join his settlement. The Schertz family accepted, arriving at what became New Braunfels on Good Friday, March 25, 1845, becoming among its first settlers. On January 3, 1849, Sebastian and Johann Jean purchased 600 acres in Guadalupe County for $600, laying the foundation for the future Schertz community.

The 1850s-1860s brought significant changes to the Schertz family. Joseph Sr. lived with Sebastian until his death in 1870 at age 89 while traveling to visit relatives. Joseph Jr. relocated near what later became Universal City but died from a rattlesnake bite in 1858 while hunting on land that eventually became Randolph Air Force Base. Johann Jean settled in Boerne but passed away from appendicitis in 1860.

Sebastian, who married in 1849, attempted gold mining in Missouri during the 1860s before harsh winters drove the family back to Texas. In 1866, he purchased 307 acres in southwestern Guadalupe County (now Schertz) and established farming and business operations supported by his sons Adolph, Martin, and William.

PROGRESS
Early settlers planted wheat, corn and oats, but cotton later proved more profitable. Sebastian built the area's first cotton gin in 1870, initially powered by donkeys before converting to steam. He also established the community's first water supply plant when farmers discovered their hand-dug wells contained undrinkable sulfur-contaminated water.

The water plant passed to his son Adolph and grandson Walter J. Adolph also owned the Schertz Electric Company, which eventually became part of the Guadalupe Valley Electric Company. In 1876, the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railroad brought significant growth. Sebastian operated a general store during the railroad construction, and in 1882, the first post office was established.

After Sebastian's death in 1890, sons Adolph and Martin continued operating the cotton gin until 1940. William established a mercantile store in 1892 that became one of Guadalupe County's largest businesses. He also served as Schertz postmaster from 1895-1899 and 1902-1907. William donated land for a train depot, and on April 6, 1899, "Cut Off" was officially renamed Schertz.

In December 1910, Adolph joined 16 farmers in creating the Farmers Rural Telephone Company, which grew from primitive equipment to serve communities across three counties before being sold to Southwestern Bell in 1958. Adolph donated two acres for a school in 1917, leading to construction of a two-story, ten-grade facility. In 1953, a new Schertz-Cibolo High School was built, which later became O'Henry, then Corbett Middle School, and now houses various educational functions.

Walter J. Schertz inherited family businesses and attempted a development project called "Aviation Heights" in 1928 to support housing needs related to the upcoming Randolph Air Force Base. Though this venture initially failed, his son Walter A. revived it after WWII by securing additional water from the Edwards Aquifer and obtaining federal funding. Construction began in the 1950s and continued into the early 1960s, with many homes still standing today.

Walter A. partnered with Dr. Roy W. Richard, Russell Rowell, and Alda Mae Cross to form the Green Valley Development Company. By the 1970s, military retirees were establishing homes in Schertz to be near Randolph and Fort Sam Houston facilities.

LEGACY
Today's Schertz retains visible connections to its past: William's Mercantile building stands at Main Street and Lindbergh Avenue, later operating as Sippel's Hardware until 2008. The building complex now houses shops including a coffee house. The original Schertz State Bank building, with its two vaults intact, now serves as City on a Hill Church, while the bank relocated across the parking lot where the Schertz Hotel once stood. The first telephone office established with Adolph Schertz's help still stands on Exchange, now a private residence.

The Schertz family legacy continues with Sebastian's great-grandson Walter and his wife Lula Mae still residing in the city. In 2013, fifth-generation Schertz family members visited, and Bill Mackey, Joseph Jr.'s great-great-grandson, spent time with Walter and Lula Mae sharing photos and memories.

Incorporated in 1958, Schertz has grown substantially while maintaining connections to its heritage through festivals and events that honor its past while embracing the future.