Stories

The San Antonio Brewing Association’s Brewhouse, that looked like a storybook castle, was not completed until 1898. The San Antonio Brewing Association hired Chicago-based architect August Maritzen, one of the foremost brewery architects of the day, to design the new facility. Maritzen, who was born in Krefeld, Prussia (now Germany) on January 31, 1862, emigrated

Since moving to San Antonio in 1884, Otto and Emma Koehler had lived in a modest home at 1025 Avenue C. The 1900 Census listed two other household members: George Freeman, a 37-year-old black driver, and Annie Virginia, 22-year-old servant who had immigrated from Germany in 1886. In March 1900, Koehler began preparations for the

While in St. Louis, Otto met and later married Emma Francisca Bentzen. The youngest daughter of Ulrich F. W. Bentzen and Helene (Garrels) Bentzen, Emma, one of five daughters and two sons, was born on February 25, 1858, in St. Louis. Her parents, along with two older sisters and a brother, had immigrated from Hannover,

Otto Koehler was born in Alfeld, Germany, on April 28, 1855, a few hours after his twin brother Karl. Otto was educated at the Seminary School of Alfeld and although his father was a grain and coal merchant, Otto had little interest in the trade. After securing a substantial education, including business and military training,