Gonzales had a population of 5,200 people. The Woman’s Study Club was formed and played a major role in establishing a public library, relocating the library to a new building on St. Matthew Street, and getting the Eggleston House moved to East Avenue park. Additionally, the Frank Vrazel House was built on St. Louis Street. In March, a thighbone of a buffalo was discovered and placed in glass that formed part of the wall of the Electric Light Plant. Attached to the glass was a copper plate engraved with historical facts. This spot marked the crossing used by trail drivers between the Karankawa Indians’ burial ground and their flint pit. In April, the Neuman Roof Garden opened for the season, and twenty-four lots that had been the old fair ground were sold. Also in April, Mr. C.G. Krauses met the ship in New York that brought their three-year-old adopted daughter from Germany.
In May, a Spanish saber was found and replaced in the ground with a metal cap flush with the existing sidewalk. The saber was believed to have been placed by blacksmith John Sowell to preserve the location of his lot prior to leaving town on the “Runaway Scrape.” Additionally, the first graduating class from Edwards High School graduated, and Miss Francis Mohrmann was selected to sing solos on WOAI radio station. A. Neuman also bought the Arlington Hotel to tear it down.
In June, the three-year-old adopted daughter (Erika Reutze) of the C.G. Krause family arrived in Gonzales after a two-month delay in New York due to illness. She arrived from Germany at Ellis Island on April 28. The Stahl Brothers turkey processing plant down by the slough burned to the ground, and cattle were quarantined for anthrax. In July, the bees of August Pape’s of Monthalia produced 30,000 pounds of honey, and the Ku Klux Klan held a barbecue at the fairgrounds with 3,000 people attending. The Rivercrest addition opened with two model homes.
In August of 1925, the WWI captured German cannon, a 105mm long-range field piece, was donated to the city and was planned to be placed in the State Park on East Avenue when it arrived. In September, a two-story brick Presbyterian Church was built to replace the 1875 frame church on Military Square. The church is located on 414 St. Louis Street on the north side of Block 26. The ninety-nine-year lease for the property from the city ran from October 22, 1922, to October 22, 2021.
