Mixerr Reviews: Explaining some lost history about the Niederwald General Store of Niederwald, Texas.

Niederwald General Store is one of the forgotten stores and buildings that has been erased from Austin history. Not too much history of Niederwald General Store has preserved or well documented this news article will explain, explore, and expose some of the lost history about Niederwald General Store.

Niederwald General Store was established possibly sometime in the 1880s on Highway 21 (Texas 21/TX 21). Exactly when and what year is unknown. The building was a single story massive square shaped which painted a light blue color. However the inside of this store was very small and narrow. This store acted as a feed and grocery store for the Niederwald community for many years. In fact the Niederwald General Store was an important staple in the Niederwald community because that is where farmers got their supplies, tools, food, and seeds from.

Sometime during the 1920s is when this store was rebuilt and modified. However the owners kept the same light blue color.

Niederwald General Store was originally across Highway 21 in Hays County. However Niederwald General Store was moved down Highway 21 to Caldwell County in the 1940s so they could sell beer. At that time Hays County was a dry county and was very conservative. Caldwell County was wet in the 1940s so this made the move for Niederwald General Store easy enough not to get shut down or raided. (Ref: http://smmercury.com/2008/01/24/todays-papers-012408-2/)

Niederwald General Store was the center for the small farming community of Niederwald, Texas throughout the 20th century. Niederwalders would go for a shovel or a beer. The Niederwald General Store, which had a bar, was operated by the Niederwald Farmers Association from 1948 until 1980. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/357087077/)

Lockhart Post Register listed the location of Niederwald General Store under their classified ads section as being located on Highway 21 at FM 2001 off IH 35 back in 1982. The Niederwald Community Flea Market and garage sale would be held at the Niederwald General Store every single year. Mostly farming equipment and supplies were sold. (Ref: Lockhart Post Register, Page 9, Thursday, April 15, 1982)

Sometime during the 1980s is when the Niederwald General Store. Exactly when and what year is unknown. What is known is that Niederwald General Store sat abandoned and vacant in a derelict condition much throughout the 1980s.

1999 was a year of uncertainty for Niederwald General Store. Lockhart Post Register that the City of Niederwald declared Niederwald General Store a fire hazard. However that did not happen as the city did not have enough money to fund demolition of this store. (Ref: Lockhart Post Register, Page 4, March 18, 1999)

The commissioners also voted to continue the countywide burn ban. So demolition had to wait until the weather changed and there was enough rain. Precinct 3 Commissioner Ronnie Duesterheft said, "We didn't get enough rain last week. They say it's still bad out there." (Ref: Lockhart Post Register, Page 5, March 18, 1999)

“In other business, the commissioners tabled any action on a request from the City of Niederwald to declare the Niederwald General Store a fire hazard.”

A 1999 news article from the Letters to the Editor column of Lockhart Post Register stated Niederwald General Store was one of the oldest buildings in Niederwald. This store had already been abandoned and sitting derelict in 1999. (Ref: Lockhart Post Register, Page 2, December 09, 1999)

Letters to the Editor

Part of Niederwald history in danger of being torn down I am 13 years old and I have been a resident of Niederwald all my life. My parents have lived in Niederwald since 1983. My father was born and raised in Niederwald. His family has been here since the late 1800's.

I am writing because a part of the history of Niederwald is in jeopardy of being sold and/or torn down. I'm talking about the Niederwald Gin and the Niederwald General Store. I've always wondered what would happen to some of the oldest buildings in Niederwald, but I didn't think that so many residents who haven't lived here that long would want to tear it down. I understand they don't have roots or memories that include Niederwald, but that is no reason to destroy part of the history of town.

I might move away from this town when I get older, but I would like for it to be here for my family to come and see where I grew up. When nothing is left, what will there be to see of the old Niederwald? There are very few people left who know the history of Niederwald, and a lot of the new residents don't care about its history. I feel this way because I have been raised to be proud of where I come from and my heritage, and it's beginning to look like there will be nothing left of old Niederwald.

Sincerely, Amber Schulze

One of the writers for Austin American-Statesman claimed the abandoned Niederwald General Store and Niederwald Gin would be a perfect place Jerry Jones to relocate the Dallas Cowboys' training camp to in 2002. (Ref: Austin American-Statesman, Why not move Cowboys camp to Niederwald?, March 10, 2002)

“NIEDERWALD -- I've found the perfect place for Jerry Jones to relocate the Dallas Cowboys' training camp: the old abandoned general store and cotton gin here, 23 miles south of Austin.What a perfect fit. The properties in Niederwald (pop. 584) are run down, just like the Cowboys. So if the Cowboys felt like tearing the buildings apart like they did to that dorm when they trained at St. Edward's University, what difference would it make? Better still, the gin and general store are perfect.”

The Hays Free Press lamented about the demolition, neglect, and rural decay of Niederwald’s General Store on Highway 21 in early 2008. (Ref: smmercury.com/2008/01/24/todays-papers-012408-2/)

[The Hays Free Press laments the passing of Niederwald’s General Store on Texas 21 which is being torn down after sitting idle since the 1980s. Originally across the highway in Hays County, the store was moved to wet Caldwell County in the 1940s so it could sell beer. “Long the center of that small farming community,” the reporter writes, “[the store] is where Niederwalders would go for a shovel or a beer, hopefully not at the same time.” ]

Niederwald General Store was demolished and leveled in early 2008. The foundations of this store were removed and leveled in the same year. All electrical wiring was removed and disconnected prior to demolition.

The sidewalk that once connected to Niederwald General Store was removed when a construction company was laying down new pipelines along Highway 21 during the summer of 2011.

realtor.com reported that the Niederwald General Store was sold on the date of October 4, 2016. This property was sold to a Hispanic couple. The bathroom and septic tank were installed in 2017. (Ref: https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/13838-Camino-Real_Kyle_TX_78640_M96460-16323)

As of 2020, Newzgroup reports that a Mexican restaurant is currently operating from a food truck on-site. This Mexican restaurant includes a bathroom and a covered eating area situated on 0.42 acres of land with good visibility. Today a food truck called Hermanos Taqueria & Bakery is still parked on the property of the former Niederwald General Store. (Ref: https://newzgroup.com/TXLegals/2020/91437-2020-07-23_1003.pdf)