Overview / Summary

George & Sophie Von Plehwe Compound

 

The following information is based on the National Register nomination:

  • Period of Significance: 1850-1874
  • 3 structures: 2 residences, 1 detached kitchen building
  • Mixture of timber and masonry construction building techniques;

1)Largest structure–  residence of Mrs. Sophie Von Plehwe; Limestone masonry, 1 ½ stories; 2 chimney flues

2)Central structure – original kitchen; timber & masonry, gabled ended roof; large cooking hearth; chimney dominant feature

3)Southern-most structure – residence of Charles Felix George Von Plehwe; limestone masony and timber framing; double hung windows create sun porch. Original roofline apparent as well as original chimney shaft

  • Builder: Charles Felix George Von Plehwe – born Berlin 1823; German nobleman.  Capt. in King’s guard attached to Court of Frederick William II of Prussia. Married Sophie Von Pless, a ward of the court & lady-in waiting to Queen Elizabeth of Bavaria.  Von Plehwe 1st arrived in Hill Country in 1840s – he escorted John Meusebach, founder of Frederickburg on his mission to negotiate treaty with Comanche Indians.  Von Plehwe returned home to Bavaria where he met and married Sophie.

Sophie had been raised by Queen of Prussia as her parents had been killed when she was 3. Sophie was an opera singer who appeared in Royal Opera of Berlin.  Sophie oversaw construction of buildings in Leon Springs due to husband’s poor health (he was reported to have TB).  Local residents recalled seeing Sophie plow the fields in her velvet robes wrapped around her waist.

  • Von Plewhe’s immigrated to U.S.  in 1851. Purchased 1,000 acres of land near Leon Springs
  • Von Plehwe contracted with stage line that operated between El Paso and San Antonio to use his farm as a stage stop where water & fresh horses could be obtained.  Stage line stopped once a week on its way west from S.A.
  • Plehwe served as Justice of the Peace in Bexar County.
  • George Von Plehwe died in 1882.
  • Sophie Von Plehwe continued to live on property until she died in 1901.
  • Property acquired by Algelt family who lease property to tenants.
  • Sold by Algelt’s in 1940; subsequent series of owners.
  • At one point, property was artists colony frequented by Robert Wood and Rolla Taylor.
  • Listed on the National Register of Historic Places: 1983
Overview / Summary