Peter Henry Oberwetter: Austin Botanist
historical marker
Peter Henry Oberwetter, a native of Germany, migrated to Texas around 1849. He first settled in New Braunfels, then Comfort, before moving to Austin, in Travis County. In Austin, Oberwetter gained distinction as a botanist. He pioneered in crossbreeding the Amaryllis and imported rare bulbs to the region. He also wrote articles about his botanical research. Oberwetter was known for introducing Oxblood lilies to Texas, importing these bulbs from Argentina and Uruguay. He also made the Texas native Rain lilies available for the nursery industry. Additionally, he served as a landscape artist for the State of Texas. Peter Henry Oberwetter married Catherine Marie Schade, and they had six children. This historical marker, recognizing his contributions, was erected in 1977 by the Texas Historical Commission. It highlights his work in horticulture, science, and settlement in Texas.