18 Oct 2008
History: Honey Creek State Natural Area is 2293.7 acres located in western Comal County, approximately 30 miles north of downtown San Antonio. The area, once a ranch, was acquired by deed from the Texas Nature Conservancy in 1985 and by deed from a private individual in 1988 and was opened for limited access in 1985.
Chipped stone tools are all that remain to attest to the use of Honey Creek by early hunter-gatherers, who roamed throughout the Edwards Platequ region. Artifacts which have been found on the property give silent testimony of later Indian tribes spending time on the land.
Beginning in the mid-1800's, the cultural history of the property becomes well-defined. The Doeppenschmidts from Bavaria were among the German immigrants who accompanied Prince Carl von Solms-Braunfels to settle incentral Texas. They beganto homestead in the Honey Creek area in 1865. Gradually,over the years, the Doeppenschmidt family members acquired many parcels of land including what would become Honey Creek Ranch. The various parcels were finally consolidated under the ownership of Adam Doeppenschmidt in 1894 and sold by him to Otto Weidner and Fred Rust in 1910. The tracts, which became Honey Creek Ranch, were worked by the Widners until 1971, at which time, they were sold to W. O. Bartle, Jr. of Houston.
Tours: The Saturday morning walking tour of Honey Creek has been resumed; it begins at 9 a.m. Please call in advance to confirm that the tour ill be given on the particular Saturday you wish to visit.
Suggested Donation: $2 per person for person 13 years and older or $5 per family. Friends of Guadalupe River or Honey Creek are free.
830-438-2656