In the late 1800s it was believed that Boerne and the Texas Hill Country held miraculous cures for those with pulmonary troubles.   The Sisters of Incarnate Word built and operated one of Boerne’s first health resorts.  The story of Saint Mary’s Sanitarium right after this.

Sponsored Commercial: Kendall County Roofing 

Across the street from St. Helena’s Episcopal Church on Main Street stood Saint Mary’s Sanitarium.  This three story building with a steep roof was opened in 1896 with the help of Dr. Ferdinand Herff.  The Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word grew the Sanitarium from 20 beds to 50. Boerne was the destination for patience with Tuberculosis also known as the "white plague”.  The St. Mary’s Sanitarium closed and was torn down around 1924.  Today another 3 story building sits on the same site…our Boerne City Hall. 

 I’m Tom Allred with Boerne Texas History and this is Boerne Radio 103.9FM.