Seguin sees building boom!

Seguin sees building boom!
    At present Seguin is enjoying a building boom which includes both business and residence sections of the city.
    The Seguin State Bank & Trust Co., with Alb. Nolte as contractor are well toward the finishing touches on their program of remodeling their bank building into a modern banking structure.  Refinished inside and out in the most modern mann, it will be one of the most beautiful structures in the business section.
    The First National Bank is also nearing completion of their program of remodeling their building started several months ago.  Newly finished interior and outside will greatly add to the central business block.
    The new building of the South Texas Ice Co. north of the Plaza Hotel is completed and will celebrate its opening within the next few days.  This stone and brick structure finished in stucco effect with ornamental finishing will make it one of the most modern and beautiful buildings in this section.  It will house the general offices for the company as well as have a down-town cold storage plant in connection and an ice depot.  This is indeed a handsome addition to the east side of the square business section.
    Henry Weiss has started the foundation for a business building on his lot on East Court St.  opposite the Bergfeld Drug Store.  It will be constructed of concrete blocks of his own manufacture and when completed will be occupied by Bose.
    The State Highway Department have leased a portion of the old Greifenstein property on East Court St. near the site of the old gin and erecting a large warehouse and storage station for this section.  J. B. Cockrill and Fritz Woebler are at work on the job and the buildings will be of corrugated iron and steel.
    A large concrete and steel warehouse building erected by Vivroux Hardware Co., on West Center St. has just been occupied by their iron and tin work Department.  
    E. C. Tips is erecting a pretty and substantial store building on his lot north of his residence on N. River St. and upon completion will be occupied by Tips general insurance offices.  It is contructed of tile from the Seguin plant.  
    The Koepsel Lumber Co. Have just completed the job of placing a new asbestos shingle roof on the Masonic Hall.  The shingles are hexagon stule of autumn bronze color with a huge insignia showing to advantage.  A number of other building in Seguin now have these new style shingle roofs. 
    There are also a number of new and remodeled residences to add to the building boom of Seguin.      The remodeling work on the First Baptist Church is progressing nicely.  Both interior and exterior improvements are being made.  A complete new railing is being put inside as well as two rooms and an extended pulpit platform on west side of the auditorium.  Ceiling fans will be installed and otehr arrangements for the comfort of the congreation made.
Seguin Enterprise, June 20, 1930

Seguin State Bank being completely remodeled
    We call attention to the large advertisements in this issue of the Seguin State Bank & Trust Co. announcing the modernization and redodeling of their recently acquired building o Austin St. next to the present location.  The bank will occupy its new home within 60 days.
    Both the exterior and interior will be completely modernized including white cement stucco exterior with dark terrazzo base.  The interior work will include new marble bank fixtures, and secure bank and safety deposit vaults with burgler proof doors.  A duct system of furnace heating is being installed with arrangements for adding air conditioning for summer cooling.
    Adams & Adams of San Antonio are the architects for the work Albert Nolte of Seguin is the contractor.
Seguin Enterprise, October 21, 1938

Future rosy for Seguin
    A rosy picture of Seguin's future was painted this week in a bulletin mailed by the Chamber of Commerce to all members and others who are interested in the growth of the city.  It was pointed out, however, that all of the predictions made were based on facts and figures.
    Starting with a prediction that Seguin's population would double in the next five years, largely on account of the oil development, the Chamber declared that its present estimate of the population is 7,500 people.  This is only slightly higher than a forcast made in 1928 by a firm of industrial engineers who based their calculations on the past rate of growth over a period of thirty years.
    "It is evident to all," the bulletin said, "that the rate of Seguin's growth has been greatly accelerated in the past six months.  An estimated 20 percent of the dwellings here now house more than one family.  Nearly fifty new houses have been constructed or are under construction since August 1.  Approximately half of these will be occupied by the owner.  This indicates a healthy condition.  There is no doubt that building of dwellings here was at least ten years behind at the time of the oil discovery.  We have not caught up even yet."  
    The oil fields will be here for many years.  Estimates of experienced operators vary between ten and fifteen years.  The Darst Creek Field is but the first of a series and it will undoubtedly will not be the largest.  The fields south of the river have yet to be brought into production and, while few are aware of it as yet, there will be a big play soon on the black land prairie to the north.  Seguin is the inevitable center of these operations.  The roads, the bridges, the distances all counter here.  No company expecting to do business throughout the fields can afford to stay our of Seguin more than a few months longer.  As a matter of fact, all the supply companies in this area are doing most of their business through Seguin now.
    Taking up the Agricultural prospects for Guadalupe County, the bulletin declared that Seguin is destined soon to be the center of a great dairy and poultry industry that will be more valuable in the long run that the oil business.  The ground work done by County Agent Whitsett, the Luling Foundation Farm and the Guadalupe County Dairymen's Association is only just beginning to bear fruit.  Dairymen last year received for their products more than $1,000,000.  This was in cash, every 15 days and the money had a great part in overcoming the disastrous effects of the failure of cotton.
    Guadalupe County farmers have learned in the last five years what the farmers of the lower coast country are just beginning to learn -- that feed stuffs grown on the farm and fed to livestock pay more than 40 times more cash profit per acre than cotton even where the land produces a quarter of a bale to the acre.  They will profit by this knowledge and Seguin will profit and grow through providing the farmer with the things he needs.
    "One of the greatest drawbacks to farming in Guadalupe County today," the bulletin declared, "is the lack of roads.   This lack can be remedied now.  The county for several years has been laboring under a burden of debt, but most of the debts are paid.  The oil development, if the county if properly operated, will provide tax money for all road purposes.
    "completion of the North and South Highway from Seguin to Stockdale will open up a vast new dairy and poultry section to settlement.  It will bring greatly increased tourist traffic with a resulting gain in business.  This will aid to resort business along the lakes which are just now beginning to be developed and appreciated."  
    The bulletin pointed out that the Lutheran College is becoming one of the greatest assets of Seguin, an asset that will draw more and more trade and many new citizens.  
    The Texas Power Corporation plans the contruction of two more dams in the coming year or 18 months.  This will add to the Seguin payroll considerably.  
    The program of the Chamber of Commerce for the coming year is designed to foster and assist all of this development.
Seguin Enterprise, February 1930

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