Early Texas German settler and botanist Ferdinand Lindheimer was the first editor when the newspaper began as the weekly German-language publication Neu-Braunfelser Zeitung in 1852.

The enterprise, begun to boost the reputation of the city and attract settlers, was backed by political activist Adolph Douai.

After the Zeitung Publishing Company formally organized to run the paper in the late 19th century, G.F. Oheim bought the property in 1899 and was editor/publisher until the time of his death in 1947.

Oheim's son, Frederic, succeeded him as owner/editor and added English-language content in 1948 in response to declining numbers of German-language subscribers.

A serious flood damaged the company's offices, archives and Goss press in 1998, leading to a relocation of the printing facilities.