The History of Century Oaks

Originally named Santa Clara Farm, Century Oaks has a long history we felt was important to share.
 
Julie and Dix Brown came to R & D Custom Builders in February of 2019 looking to restore their family home, that had been passed down to them. At that time, the home was situated on the 233 acres Julie and Dix owned, which is located on S Santa Clara Rd., in New Berlin, TX. They were also interested in sharing their land with others. R & D Custom Builders and the Brown family formed a partnership that led to the creation of what is now Century Oaks.
 
The Brown family and R & D Custom Builders formed a mutually beneficial partnership to make the dreams come true of each party involved. Julie and Dix dreamed of sharing the legacy of the land with others. R & D dreamed of designing and building 154 individually unique and custom homes for families to live in and enjoy.
 
The Brown family heavily influenced the creation of the community name, street names and concept as to include the history of the land. Keeping the Century old Oaks Trees were of utmost importance as well as ensuring future families could enjoy the lands beauty for years to come just as they have. 

Thank you to Julie and Dix Brown for sharing the history and their land for many other families to enjoy for generations to come. Here is their story.

At the age of eleven, Adolph Gelven came to Texas in 1850 with his parents from Strump Dusseldorf, Germany. 

Twenty-four years later, on April 7, 1874, he received title to 542 acres of land from Vincente Gortario and began raising cotton, corn, and sugar cane. The property was purchased for $1200.00. 

Gelven married Christine Faust and they had four daughters, Clara, Auguste, Olga, and Antonie. 

Antonie’s husband, William H. G. Achterberg, was the next owner of the land, buying 100 acres in 1897 and an additional 133 from Gelven in 1907. 

Achterberg was a prominent farmer and director and president of the Santa Clara Gin Association. He and his wife had five children, and a son, Edgar, took over ownership of the 233 acres in 1947. 

Edgar was manager of the Santa Clara Gin Association and a prominent farmer. Edgar’s niece, Dolores A. Schmidt Machaud, and her husband, Albert, took over the ownership of the 233 acres in the 1970s, continuing the heritage of farming, by raising corn, wheat, and sorghum. 

In 1975, the Gelven Farm was recognized by the Texas Department of Agriculture and received the Family Land Heritage Award. 

Dolores and Albert Machaud had three children, and their daughter, Julie Machaud Brown, with her husband Dix, purchased the 233 acres in 2002.

See pictures below with descriptions of their origin and contents.



Pictured: The original home built on the farm taken in 1902. In the picture are, from left to right, Edgar Achterberg (on the tricycle), Antonie Gelven Achterberg, Ilka Achterberg, William Achterberg, and Adolph Gelven. This photo has the first three generations of owners of the farm.



Pictured: Adolph Gelven. The year is unknown. Adolph married Christine Faust. She is from the German family that helped settled the New Braunfels area, including building the Faust Hotel.



Pictured: The second home built on the farm. This picture was probably taken around 1930. It is the home that my mother remembers growing up in. The first two homes on the farm burned down.



Pictured: The wedding photo of William Achterberg and Antonie Gelven.

Pictured: Albert and Dolores Machaud, receiving the Family Land Heritage Award in 1975. Parents of Julie Machaud Brown.

References: Julie Mauchaud Brown