Gruene, Texas

The Mercantile Building built in 1904

Gruene, Texas was settled in the 1840's by Ernst Grune and his two sons, planting the surrounding land with cotton. Having become the number one cash crop, the cotton business soon brought 20 to 30 families to the area.

The first mercantile store (now Gruene General Store) was built in 1878 and a cotton gin (now Gristmill River Restaurant and Bar) powered by the Guadalupe River was added soon. Further construction during this profitable time included a dance hall and saloon (Gruene Hall), which became the center of the community's social life.

In 1922, the original cotton gin burned and was replaced down the road by a modern electric model (now Adobe Verde). Yet, the economic disasters of the boll weevil and the Depression were too much for the family businesses and they went under, except for Gruene Hall, which never closed.

Gruene Hall today

Pat Molak purchased Gruene Hall in 1975. A few unavoidable repairs were made to the Hall, but little else was necessary. Left uncorrupted, the 6,000-square-foot, open-air dance hall became a virtual magnet, a starting point for many of Texas' up-and-coming performers, and once again, the heart of Gruene.  He also purchased and repaired several of the town's most notable structures and transformed them into thriving businesses. 

Gruene has been added to the National Register of Historic Places, and many of the buildings that have been awarded a Texas medallion from the Texas Historical Commission. 

At The Gristmill River Restaurant and Bar

Onstage at the dance hall!