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Raised in Austin and having received a degree in veterinary medicine from Texas A&M college in 1937, Dr. Edgar Alfred Grist (1915-1994) served the community of New Braunfels and Comal County in many ways throughout the mid-twentieth century. Grist was the first licensed veterinarian in the county and could often be found on-site at farms, checking on animals and educating farmers on disease prevention and good nutrition. He met Elizabeth Ann (Betty) Wille (1919-2007) in 1937 when she brought her sister’s dog into his newly opened practice at 637 W. San Antonio Street. After receiving a scholarship to study sanitation, he began working for the Texas State Health Department Food and Drug Division. In 1943, he was elected Texas State Veterinarian. In this position, and as the city meat inspector, he enforced sanitary practices on local slaughterhouses, which were often sources of sickness due to lack of regulation.
In 1949, Dr. Grist bought 20.3 acres at 727 N. Live Oak Ave. and built the New Braunfels Veterinary Hospital, opening his practice in 1950. In the 1950s, he battled rabies and anthrax outbreaks in the county and continued to educate community members on healthy practices. After receiving a letter in which his son, John, described German village festivals with sausage, beer, and dancing, Dr. Grist had the idea to replicate the festival in New Braunfels, a prolific sausage making area. “Wurstfest” was a one-day event in 1961 but has grown to a multiple day event benefitting the local economy and numerous charities. In the 1970s, Dr. Grist retired from veterinary medicine and became the county sanitarian. His last decades were filled with civic work. His legacy lives on not only in the community but throughout the entire state. (2022) |
