Anton Schumann Park Campground

Did Anton Schumann ever imagine, while meticulously building his home on 120 acres in Converse, that part of his land would one day become Anton Schumann Park Campground? Anton Schumann Park Campground, tucked away in Converse, Texas, is more than just a place to pitch a tent. It’s a small piece of a larger story, a legacy of hard work and family ties stretching back to 1900. That year, Anton Schumann, a young man born near New Braunfels, purchased the land from Edward Hall. This plot was originally a part of the vast 1476-acre Converse Ranch, owned by the founder of Converse, Major James Converse. Anton, a skilled carpenter, first erected a barn, affectionately known as the Buggy House, which still stands today. He then built the Schumann Scheel Home, where he and his bride, Ida Augusta Siebold, started their family in 1901. Over the years, Anton and Ida expanded their farm to an impressive 294 acres. They raised cotton, corn, oats, wheat, and even broom corn, which Anton used to craft brooms during the winter months. They also raised livestock and cultivated a bountiful garden, embodying self-sufficiency. Anton, a forward-thinking farmer, was among the first in Converse to implement terracing, carefully surveying and shaping the land to minimize erosion. This ingenuity, coupled with their relentless work ethic, allowed Anton and Ida to prosper. They even became some of the first in Converse to own automobiles, starting with a Pullman around 1913. After Anton and Ida passed away, their daughter Mary and her husband, Adolph Scheel, inherited the home and continued the family’s farming tradition. Following Adolph’s death, a portion of the original Schumann land, including the historic Schumann Scheel Home, was generously donated to the City of Converse. It now serves as a testament to the Schumann family’s legacy. And within this historical tapestry lies Anton Schumann Park Campground, a tranquil space where visitors can connect with the land’s rich past. As you set up camp, remember you are camping on land once nurtured and shaped by generations of the Schumann family. Their spirit of hard work and dedication echoes through the trees. Anton Schumann Park Campground isn’t just a campsite. It’s a living piece of Converse history.