The year was 1852, and the Vogt family faced hardship in Prussia. With a decision that would define their history, two brothers left everything they knew behind in search of freedom and opportunity. After months of travel, the family landed in Indianola along the Texas coast, then a primary port of entry for German immigrants. Like many others seeking land and stability, they soon moved north into the Hill Country, unknowingly laying the foundation for a legacy that would help shape the future of their new home in the burgeoning town of Boerne.
More than 170 years later, the Vogt family is still thriving here, having helped build and preserve the area for all those years. Marilyn Vogt (née Sultenfuss), now 79, has stayed in her hometown and continues to share the remarkable legacy her family began. She considers herself not just a resident of the city, but a steward of its history. “The Vogts, Sultenfusses, and so many others built this town,” Marilyn says. “We’ve been around here for a long, long time.”
Those families were part of a close-knit group of early pioneers—names you may recognize, including Ammann, Phillips, Bergmann, Cooley, Rust, Pfieffer—whose labor and values shaped Boerne’s physical and cultural landscape. “I love the heritage of Boerne, and that there is a desire to preserve it after all these years. Even though there is growth, there are still ties to tradition,” Vogt descendant and local realtor Jenn Long says. She shares heritage with Vogt—Marilyn’s mother-in-law was a sister of Long’s great-grandmother, Ella Rust Vogt. But they’re also connected by a commitment to preservation, and to the values that built Boerne.
Physical reminders of that history remain scattered throughout Boerne. The local brewhaus, The Dodging Duck, was the home of Long’s great-great-grandmother years ago. Her fifth great uncle, Joe Vogt, also built what is now the Bear Moon Bakery Cafe in 1912. These spaces are more than businesses; they are extensions of a long-standing philosophy that emphasizes service and connection. Marilyn still lives on a ranch that has been in the Vogt family for more than 125 years. The land, like the town itself, represents continuity. For both Vogt and Long, Boerne isn’t just where they live, it’s where their roots and responsibilities lie. “I've never lived anywhere else,” Vogt says. “There's no place else like this.”
On the other hand, Long says she left Boerne after high school, thinking life would be more exciting outside of her small town. But after having children, she felt a draw to come home. She also wanted to be near her many relatives, including her mother, Lucille Vogt Pryer, who has never lived anywhere but Boerne. Long soon found herself drawn back into her family’s history, reconnecting with Vogt and becoming more involved in preserving the stories that shaped the town. As a realtor, Long can offer clients unique perspectives on life in the region. “People are drawn here for a reason,” she says. “The people are welcoming, and even though there's been so much growth, there's still a feel of community and connection. It's truly a great place to create a life worth living.”
Local traditions remain a vital part of that identity. Events like Berges Fest (Long was “Miss Berges Fest 1996”) and Das Festival celebrate the area’s German heritage, while the Kendall County Fair and other events like the annual Christmas Parade bring both longtime and newly arrived residents together.
Long and Vogt cherish the fact that their ancestors helped physically build many of the churches in Boerne, starting as early as 1866. These buildings became gathering places and anchors for early settlers. “The churches were very instrumental,” Vogt says. “The churches were the central core of this town.”
The tangible evidence of family history surrounds Vogt today. Meticulously compiled family records fill 27 volumes in her home, documenting generations of involvement in the region, from county officials and judges to ranchers and business owners. Her mission is simple but ambitious: ensure that the family’s story—and Boerne’s story—are never lost.
Pride, joy, and a mission to keep the family legacy provide deep purpose for Jenn and Marilyn. A couple of their relatives, Hugo Rust and Mina Pheiffer Rust, were at one point the only people in town with a steam-engine tractor. Because the implement was rare, Hugo would use it to harvest crops for others who couldn’t have done so otherwise. “Our family values make me proud,” Long says. “All of our relatives are community-minded in the sense that they build things that are made to last, and they continue to help others in the community today.”
With Boerne’s ever-growing population, Marilyn and Jenn are looking forward to what is in store for future generations. Just like the Vogts in 1852, newcomers continue to migrate to the area, drawn by opportunity and a sense of belonging. “Boerne is one of a kind,” Long says. “It’s unique in the sense that you will find people who still love to serve each other and are very welcoming, and while the city is growing, people here still value connection and tradition.”
For Vogt and Long, the work is ongoing. Even with 27 volumes of history recorded, they know countless more stories are waiting to be told. “I tell everybody who moves here, you've got to get involved,” Long says. “Find an opportunity to serve. There are countless ways to be a part of this wonderful community and to get connected. You’ll be glad you did!”
Genealogical Society of Kendall County, Texas gskctx.org | 830-331-8730
Boerne Area Historic Preservation Society bahpsboerne.org | 281-744-5398
Jenn Long, The Phyllis Browning Company phyllisbrowning.com/realestate/agent/jenn-long | 210-997-5762