Before Restoration

VOGES-SMOTHERS HOUSE,
IH10 Access Rd, S of Boerne

HISTORY: This house is a "palisades" type construction which is rare in this area. It was built by Jacob West about 1876 and has since housed several well known pioneer families from Boerne. In 1882 Jacob sold the property to Christian Schrader and his family lived here for 22 years, where they raised 10 children whose sons went on to become businessmen and musicians. Christian Heinrich Schrader his wife, Dorothea Marie Berner was born were born in Germany arriving in Indianola, Texas in 1869, with their son, Christian, Jr. They travelled to Marion, Texas where their other children were born. Their final move was to Kendall County where they settled on this 300 acre farm on the Balcones. After the death of Christian Schrader, his widow sold the property to another German pioneer, Julius Adam.

Julius Adam was born in Boerne, Texas, a son of Conrad Adam, an early pioneer who migrated from Germany in 1854. The Julius Adam family lived here from 1904 to 1912, was the Julius Adam family. In 1912 Julius Adam sold the property and house to Walter B. Voges.

Walter was the son of Fritz Voges and Theresa Adam. He married Laura Whitworth. Walter and Laura and the children worked the land, both farming and raising livestock until the heirs sold it, after a total of 70 years ownership, to Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Smith in 1982. The Smith's built a larger house on another part of the property as their residence. The Smith's kept it until 1991, when it was sold to its present owners, the Smothers, who restored this old house. This historic house has been on the BAHPS Historic Tour.

Source: Boerne Public Library files, March, 2000.

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