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Schumacher Crossing on the Guadalupe River

Hunt, Kerr County, Texas

Marker Inscription

Christian Schumacher emigrated with his family from Germany to Texas in 1845, the year he was born. He came to Kerr County in 1880, later marrying Sarah Brazeal Sublett and moving to land along the Guadalupe River, near the site of an antebellum sawmill operation built by Gustav and Fredrich Tegener. In the 1920s, son John Randolph Schumacher built a series of dams across the river, providing security from raging floodwaters for a stream crossing and new road to hunt. Today, the dams remain and an improved highway bridge crosses the stream. Schumacher Crossing is still enjoyed for its scenery and access to the river. (2003)

Erected by Texas Historical Commission

The Story

Christian Schumacher came from Germany to Texas as an infant in 1845 and reached Kerr County in 1880, settling along the Guadalupe River near the site of an antebellum sawmill run by the Tegener brothers. In the 1920s his son John Randolph Schumacher built a series of river dams that tamed the floodwaters and secured a stream crossing and new road to Hunt. Those dams still stand, and an improved highway bridge now carries traffic over a crossing prized for its scenery and river access.

Why it matters

Schumacher Crossing shows how German immigrant families engineered dependable river crossings out of a flood-prone hill-country stream, opening reliable travel through rugged Kerr County.

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Related people

  • · Christian Schumacher
  • · John Randolph Schumacher
  • · Sarah Brazeal Sublett

Themes & tags

TransportationImmigrationFrontier HistoryLandmark

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