About

The land was watered by springs, and for eons, the first People held it in trust, camped, hunted and lived upon it. In 1691, Europeans came … an expedition led by Domingo Teran de los Rios following El Camino Real crossed the Guadalupe River. Other expeditions followed, and the water drew them too.

In 1825, Juan de Veramendi was given title to the area around the springs and river by the Mexican government. Veramendi and most of his family died in a cholera epidemic in 1833. His massive land holdings were inherited by his surviving daughter, Maria Antonio, who married Raphael Garza. In 1845, Prince Carl of Solms-Braunfels the Commissioner General of the Adelsverein, was looking for land upon which to settle German immigrants he had enticed to settle in Texas. He negotiated with Maria and her husband and purchased two leagues of land running along the what is now known as the Dry Comal springs, for approximately $1,100.00.

This then became New Braunfels— the first and only city in Texas founded by a prince. Over the years, Maria Antonio Veramendi Garza sold off portions of the original Veramendi land grant. Eventually 2,426 acres of that family holding was acquired by Joseph Landa, who used it as a cattle ranch. In 1896, Joseph’s son, Harry assumed control of the family’s businesses, and ran the ranch and mills for another 30 years. According to the terms of his mother’s will, 10 years after her death, the Landa family Trust was to be liquidated. Dean Word, who owned a road building company, purchased the Landa Ranch on December 5, 1941. The next day, the United States was plunged into war by the tragic events at Pearl Harbor. After the war, in 1956, Joyce Word married Bill Borchers, and the ranch remained in stewardship of the Borcher-Word family for another 50 years. The family has partnered with ASA Properties to develop the next chapter in the story of this blessed and beautiful land.

Vista Alta, a gated community of thoughtfully designed garden villas, will soon rise on 30 of those storied acres. We invite you to come and watch what develops.