Czichos House
Wimberley, Hays County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Of hand-hewn cedar logs chinked with clay. built in Comal County about 1850. Home, 1858-1951, family of Dr. Adolph Schlameus, who taught area's first school, near Fischer, for settlers' children and his own 12. Moved from Canyon Lake area and restored in 1960. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1965
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
This cabin of hand-hewn cedar logs chinked with clay was built in Comal County around 1850 and, from 1858 to 1951, sheltered the family of Dr. Adolph Schlameus, who taught the area's first school near Fischer for settlers' children alongside his own twelve. Moved from the Canyon Lake area, it was restored in 1960 and recorded as a Texas Historic Landmark in 1965.
Why it matters
A settler who doubled as the region's first schoolteacher shows how, on the Texas frontier, education often began in a single log room before towns or districts existed.
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Related people
- ยท Adolph Schlameus
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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