Alpine Avalanche in Alpine, Texas

Pioneer Weyerts Helped Shape Alpine From 1886

German born John Weyerts arrived in Alpine on his 21st birthday in 1886 and, with his brother Fritz, built a blacksmith shop. He became a lumber contractor and windmill builder, earning Alpine the nickname windmill city of the Southwest. He and Emma Weyerts helped found churches, supported schools, and welcomed ranch hands at their home while their 11 children and many descendants contributed to the community, with Mrs. Weyerts dying in 1961 and John in 1943.