Comal Power Plant
Why it's listed
Built in 1926 beside the Comal Canal in New Braunfels, Texas, this former power plant supplied electricity to San Antonio and the surrounding region. The nominated district covers 13.66 acres on the eastern part of the original 32-acre site and includes the main plant building, the canal, a gas metering house, two pump houses, and landscape features such as pecan trees, a circular drive, entry pylons and a suspension footbridge. The main building rises up to seven stories in red brick and white-painted concrete, with Classical Revival details such as pilasters, denticulated window surrounds and a Palladian window motif. Two tall exhaust stacks mark its industrial purpose. The plant was listed for its part in regional electrification between 1925 and 1954, including service to military installations, and for its blend of industrial and classical design. Generating equipment was removed after the plant closed in the 1970s, though two original hoists remain.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · catalog entry. Generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29).
| Period of significance | 1925-1954 |
|---|---|
| Styles | Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals: Classical Revival |
| Areas of significance | Industry, Community Planning and Development, Architecture |
| Acreage | 13.7 |
| Boundary source | NPS cultural-resource GIS polygon |
| Full listing page | Comal Power Plant (property record) |
What listing means for this property
This is a historic district. Buildings within its boundary are either contributing (they add to the district's significance) or non-contributing. Owners of contributing income-producing buildings can claim the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit; homeowners should look at state credits. National Register districts impose no design review by themselves; a local historic district ordinance, if one exists, does (the difference explained).
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.