DIENGER BUILDING-BOERNE PUBLIC LIBRARY 210 N. Main, Boerne Library File #23 On National Register of Historic Places | ||
OWNERS: Joseph Dienger, Bill & Paige Ramsey-Palmer, J. W. Smith, City of Boerne |
DESCRIPTION:Two story, limestone rock commercial building; galleries that run the entire length of the east and south side of the building; upstairs gallery has a wooden railing running the complete length of the gallery. At the top of each supporting pillar there is embellishment of Victorian decoration or "gingerbread" as it is commonly called. This same decoration is carried out in the same way to the ground floor porch.
HISTORY: The plot of land north of the town plaza was purchased
by Joe Dienger, oldest son of Karl Dienger, in 1882 for the purpose of building
a general store to meet the needs of a growing community. He began by building
the first floor, finishing it and stocking it completely before adding the
second story. The second story, which was reached by an enclosed stairway on the
west side of the building, was home for the Dienger family. Since it was much
too spacious, Mr. Dienger turned half of the area into a meeting room. Most of
the lodges and clubs held their meetings here and many times their annual feasts
or celebrations or anniversary parties.
The one story portion on the
north side of the building was added later. That part was used to house a dry
goods store that was operated by his sisters, Lina and Louise Dienger. These
good ladies never married. They gave their entire life to the operation of the
store and to taking care of their widowed mother who lived to be 93 years old.
They resided at what is now the corner of Hosack and S. Main. See file: Dienger-Eckert House, 108 Hosack
Street
In 1967 a group of Boerne business men purchased the building
visualizing it as a restaurant/supper club. The Antler's Restaurant was born.
They rented the north part of the building to a grocery store owned and operated
by the Rodriguez family (the local family managers were Anna and Michael
Schoch)
In 1982 the building was again sold, this time to Bill and Paige
Ramsey-Palmer. They again renovated the building to suit their needs.
In
1991 the building became the home of the Boerne Public Library after extensive
internal alterations. Alterations were done very carefully to maintain the
outside the integrity of the building.
Source: Boerne Public Library files.