Site of Dietz Community

In 1851 Jamaica native Jacob De Cordova (1808-1868) settled here. He selected this spot for its beauty, rich soil and nearby springs. He built his first home, "Wanderer's Retreat". It served as a stage stop on the San Antonio Road and as a mail delivery station. De Cordova, acting as a land agent, sold over 90,000 acres of Texas land including this site. Nine German bachelors purchased the property and it became known as "Bachelor's Hall" and "Nine Men's House". Two brothers, Ferdinand Michael and J. August Dietz, cowboys for De Cordova, bought out the other men and the community became "Dietz". Johann Phillip Stautzenberger (1838-1904) bought the land in 1861, built a substantial house and general store, and became the first postmaster. Formal education began in a small room adjacent to Stautzenberger's store with Frankfort School starting later. "The Frohsinn Maennerchor", a singing group, was organized in the schoolhouse. Later they adopted the present name of "Frohsinn Mixed Chorus of Clear Springs". In 1895 a group of farmers founded present-day Friedens Church in the school building. Consolidation of the schools, closing of the post office, and good roads and automobiles caused this early community to disappear. (1978)

Site of Dietz Community is a historical marker in Seguin, Guadalupe County, dedicated in 1978. It is one of 75 historical markers documented in Guadalupe County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 249 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 29.6549, -98.0448 near Seguin. The nearest cataloged historic site is Guadalupe Valley Memorial Park Cemetery (cemetery), about 0.5 miles away. Others within a short drive include Ewald-Jung Cemetery, Steinmeyer Family Cemetery, and Kruse Cemetery.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5187004768. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.