*Students playing in front of the Kuhlmann-King house. Photo taken approximately around 1915.
The History
*Pictures from top to bottom: Mr. and Mrs. Kuhlmann; Christmas at the King House approximately 1915; The Henry Graham Building.
The Kuhlmann-King House was originally built by German immigrant, William Kuhlmann. He immigrated from Germany to Boerne, Texas for a better life for him and his new bride, Marie. He built the house in 1885 with a large wrap-around porch so that Marie could see the beautiful landscapes of their new town! He also built a building next to the house used as a the kitchen and wash room. The Kuhlmanns lived in this home until Marie died during childbirth, along with their infant, in 1896.
Selina King, widowed mother of 8 children, rented the house from 1903 until she purchased it from Mr. Kuhlmann in 1908. At this time her daughter, Florence Ann, and her husband, along with their own 8 children came to live in the house. Mrs. King died in 1910 and the house stayed in the family for another 10 years. The Boerne Independent School District bought the house and owned it from 1920 to 1951, using it for rental property as well as for school-related purposes.
Hill Country artist Harry Anthony DeYoung also leased the house for two years while teaching art in San Antonio. The city of Boerne then bought the house and the Boerne Area Historical Preservation Society (BAHPS), turned the house into a museum. It became a Texas historic landmark in 1982. It is currently owned by Kendall County.
BAHPS also later acquired the Henry Graham building located in the complex. Constructed on Main Street in the late nineteenth century, it was owned by Henry J. Graham. Born in Brazil, Graham came to Boerne in the 1870s. He was an active community leader and served as both tax assessor and deputy sheriff for Kendall County. His original office building later housed a variety of business establishments including the local telephone exchange. It was moved once before being relocated next to the Kuhlmann-King building in 1984.
The BAHPS organization now runs a museum located in these buildings on what Boerne calls “The Historic Hill.” The museum is filled with many local artifacts donated by the citizens of Boerne, telling the rich history of the town. BAHPS provides free tours of these buildings every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month. See our contact page for more info.
Learn more about the BAHPS organization
Click on the the video link to see the BAHPS organization involvement within the Boerne community.
Boerne memories
Coming soon will be the oral histories from the citizens of Boerne recalling their memories of the buildings on the “Historic Hill.” Join us on April 13th 2024 to give your oral histories!
Donate to the cause
The Kuhlmann-King House will soon be going under some much needed renovations to help preserve its historical significance within the Boerne community. Like with any renovation process, funds are greatly needed to help keep this historical treasure standing for the next generations to enjoy! Please donate today, or call us to learn how you can help!
BAHPS 