Guadalupe Hotel
Also known as: Schmitz Hotel; Plaza Hotel
Why it's listed
Facing the public square in New Braunfels, this limestone building began around 1851 as a two-story commercial structure built by Rudolph Nauendorf. Jacob Schmitz, an innkeeper who arrived with the town's founding colonists, bought it in 1858 and opened it as the Guadalupe Hotel. After the Civil War he added a two-story gallery, and in 1873 he added a third floor and a three-story gallery, renaming it the Schmitz Hotel. It served as the official stage stop of New Braunfels until the railroad arrived in 1880, and its register recorded guests including Sam Houston and Jefferson Davis. In 1933 the galleries were removed and a one-story storefront and iron balconies were added. Later known as the Plaza Hotel, it was leased for shops and apartments, and a local conservation society planned to restore its 1873 appearance. It was listed as one of the oldest public buildings on the town square.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is one of the oldest public buildings remaining in New Braunfels and an important historical and architectural landmark on the town square. It served as the town's official stage stop under innkeeper Jacob Schmitz, a founding colonist, and hosted notable guests. Its changing facades reflect the tastes of successive owners while much original fabric remains.
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) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 75001963, listed March 13, 1975. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 471 Main Plaza, New Braunfels |
|---|---|
| County | Comal County |
| Listed | March 13, 1975 |
| Reference number | 75001963 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival elements |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Transportation, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied in 1975: ground floor leased to businesses and upper floors used as apartments; the conservation society planned to restore the 1873 appearance. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Within district | Central New Braunfels Historic District |
| Coordinates | 29.70307, -98.12524 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 75001963.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q15222221
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.