Engel Family

The Luckenbachs came with the first Fredericksburg settlers. Jacob Luckenbach, born in Nassau in 1817, signed with the Adelsverein with his wife Justina in 1845, sailed from Bremen on the Johann Dethardt and reached Fredericksburg in January 1846. After becoming citizens in 1852, the family moved twelve miles southeast to the site that later bore their name. Jacob helped form Gillespie County, served as county commissioner and school supervisor from 1854 to 1858 and, though he opposed secession, served in Engelbert Krauskopf's home guard. His youngest brother, August, a Union sympathizer, was killed by Confederate forces in 1862.

What the plaque says

Engel Family The Rev. August Engel (1818-1904), a circuit riding Methodist preacher and teacher, immigrated to Texas in 1846 from Germany. In 1859 he married Katharina Ernst (1837-1920). They had six children. August Engel served as postmaster for five years in Blanco County, and for 32 years at Cranes Mill in Comal County. He was succeeded as postmaster by his son August Engel, Jr., in 1904, who purchased six acres in 1885 in Gillespie County from Carl a. Luckenbach. A post office was established in Engel's home in 1886 with August Engel, Jr., serving as postmaster. His sister Minna was asked to name the new post office. Married to C. A. Luckenbach, Minna chose the name of Luckenbach. A general merchandise store with a post office area, blacksmith shop, cotton gin, saloon and warehouses were added to the property. A dance hall (tanz halle) also located there was a center for local gatherings. William Engel replaced his brother August Engel, Jr., as postmaster of Luckenbach in 1890. William's son, Benno W. Engel, Sr., was appointed postmaster in 1935, and served in that capacity for 36 years. The Luckenbach Post Office was discontinued in 1971 after 85 years of continuous service to Gillespie County and to the community. (1996)

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Luckenbach — steps away
  A store, saloon and dance hall on Grape Creek that a humorist bought in 1971, declared a free state of mind, and turned into a pilgrimage for Texas music.
• Old Tunnel State Park — 6.7 mi
  A railroad tunnel abandoned in 1942 that now shelters up to three million Mexican free-tailed bats, who fly out each evening from May through October.
• Fort Martin Scott — 7.2 mi
  An army post of 1848 on Barons Creek beside the German town, where soldiers kept the peace of a Comanche trade and paid the merchants in hard cash.
• Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site — 8.7 mi
  A state park on the Pedernales opposite the LBJ Ranch, with a working Texas-German farm kept as it was around the First World War and the permit desk for the ranch tour.

More markers nearby

• Jakob (Jacob) Brodbeck — 2.4 mi
• Texas Ranger General E. Kirby Smith, C.S.A. — 3.6 mi
• The Pinta Trail — 4.5 mi
• Ferdinand Hohenberger Farmstead — 5.3 mi