Name/Title
Joseph Landa [Cover]Description
Cover from "JOSEPH LANDA, / NEW BRAUNFELS, TEXAS" postmarked in New Braunfels, Texas on May 4, 1906 addressed to "Mr.L.L. Shields, / Santa Anna Texas."Context
Merchant Joseph Landa purchased the Comal Springs tract on May 15, 1860. During the 1890s the Landa property became known as Landa's Pasture and was a popular picnic spot. In 1897, while visiting the Landa estate, Helen Gould, daughter of railroad financier Jay Gould, impressed by the beauty of the spot, suggested that the International and Great Northern build a spur into the property; Landa's Park was established by 1898. Within a few years of the first railroad spur, the Missouri, Kansas and Texas also built a track into the park. Excursion trains from San Antonio and Austin brought tourists to Landa's Park, which was hailed as one of the most popular resorts in the Southwest.