New Braunfels was founded in 1845 by a German settler, Prince Carl of Solms-Braunfels. He purchased 1,300 acres of land along the Guadalupe River to provide a home away from home for German emigrants. He appointed John O. Meusebach as the “protector” of the city, helping transition the town to a City Marshal system. In 1863, the New Braunfels city council issued an ordinance requiring men between the ages of 18 and 60 who were unable to serve in the army to join the police department. These men were tasked with maintaining peace and had the authority to arrest anyone who disturbed the quiet of the town.
By 1850, New Braunfels had become the fourth-largest town in Texas, thanks to the success of its agricultural production. Settlers harnessed the power of Comal Springs to grow the town into a commercial hub for pioneers. Millworks, general stores, and craft shops were established. Within ten years of its founding, the town became a manufacturing center for wagons, leather goods, farm supplies, furniture, and clothing—supplying goods to places as nearby as Victoria and as far as New York.
In the 20th century, tourism became one of New Braunfels’ major industries. The introduction of electrical power along the Comal and Guadalupe rivers made the land more accessible to the public. By 1936, the city had purchased parks such as Landa Park and Cypress Bend Park. After World War II, tourism expanded rapidly with the construction of Interstate 35, which brought visitors to attractions like Natural Bridge Caverns, Wurstfest (a German cultural celebration), and Canyon Lake.
The population of New Braunfels was 17,859 in 1970 and grew to 36,494 by 2000. As of 2025, the population has reached 123,834.