Anhalt Hall by Dave Norris
ANHALT, TEXAS. Anhalt, twenty-eight miles west of New Braunfels in western Comal County, was settled by German pioneers in 1859 and known as Krause Settlement. The settlers united in early years for protection against Indians and reorganized in 1876 as the Germania Farmers Verein to safeguard and improve their livestock. The society grew in succeeding decades to include mutual insurance and social activities. In 1879, the Verein leased land from George Krause and built the first hall measuring 26’X34’. It was erected by Franz Erben for the cost of $344.00. In 1880, the first Maifest (Mayfest) was held for members only and a dance floor 28’X58′ was laid. In 1887, the hall was expanded by 60 feet for the cost of $666.00. In that same year, a resolution was passed to put the Verein against prohibition. In 1891, the hall was again enlarged 20′ by 6′ at the cost of $751.80. In 1894, the Verein held its first agriculture fair which continued into the early 1900s. Chris Herry of New Braunfels was contracted in 1908 to build the addition to the hall which is the current dance floor at a cost of $2,512.37. Mr. Geue had the lighting contract for $192.50. In 1951, the Biergarten (beer garden) was added, and in 1953 the kitchen was built. Today, the Verein has approximately 350 members and hundreds of people still gather at the Anhalt Hall for dances, annual spring and harvest festivals, and other music events.