Dienger, Joseph, Building
Why it's listed
Built in 1887 by merchant Joseph Dienger, this two-story limestone building anchors a corner of downtown Boerne, Texas, near the town plaza. The ground floor housed his grocery business while his family lived upstairs. Its dressed stone walls, pedimented lintels, bracketed cornice and pedimented parapets are topped off by a light wooden double gallery with quatrefoil panels and an unusual geometric railing. That gallery resembles the one on the neighboring Kendall Inn, and the two buildings together form an architectural group along the plaza's north side. In 1900 a long one-story limestone wing was added so Dienger's sisters could open a dry-goods store. The family ran the grocery until 1936 and the dry-goods business until 1951. Later uses included a restaurant and, from 1981, offices. The main block remains largely intact, while the addition has been altered. The building is valued as an example of German settlers' commercial life in Texas and for its architecture.
Significance in brief: The nomination describes it as one of the finest 19th-century commercial buildings in Boerne, with excellent late Italianate detailing and an intact double wooden gallery. Its gallery resembles that of the nearby Kendall Inn, and the two form an architectural ensemble beside the town plaza. It also documents the culture and commerce of German pioneers in Texas.
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 84001901, listed January 19, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 106 W. Blanco Rd., Boerne |
|---|---|
| County | Kendall County |
| Listed | January 19, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84001901 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899, 1900- |
| Architect / builder | Unknown |
| Architectural style | Late Italianate |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Rehabilitated in 1981 as offices; the form lists the property as occupied and in good condition, with the main block retaining its historic integrity. The 1900 wing was altered and is not considered contributing. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 29.79476, -98.73222 (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 84001901.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q107318639
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.