New Braunfels White Oak —
rescued, reclaimed, carrying its story forward.

New Braunfels ISD White Oak

The Story

My friend and neighbor, Journeyman Bladesmith Nate Grant — known as “Tuna” of Made by Tuna — is also a Project Manager for a construction company out of San Antonio, Texas. A while back his company was awarded the job of renovating the historic building shown here.

Historic 1913 New Braunfels school building under renovation, later to become the NBISD administration offices.

Built in 1913 to replace the old New Braunfels Academy, the structure served generations of students as the New Braunfels High School. The plaques on-site tell the story — from its roots in the German immigrant community of the 1840s to its service as a high school for over fifty years.

After Nate’s renovation project, the historic building was repurposed to house the administrative offices for the New Braunfels Independent School District (NBISD) — ensuring that the structure continues to serve the community it was built for more than a century ago.

Historical marker plaque describing the origins of the New Braunfels Academy, one of the first tax-funded schools in Texas.
Stone cornerstone engraved “New Braunfels Public School — 1913” with architect and contractor credits.
Historical marker plaque describing the 1913 building as the Old New Braunfels High School, a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark.

During the remodel, sections of old white oak were slated for the dumpster. Nate knew better. Instead of letting the wood be lost, he pulled some aside and brought it to me. What he saved turned out to be beautiful white oak, carrying both the strength of the species and the legacy of a place that shaped so many lives in New Braunfels. Now, added to my inventory, it’s ready to carry its story forward.

About the Tree

A mature white oak tree with a wide canopy of green leaves, standing in an open field.

White Oak (Quercus alba) is one of the most admired hardwoods in North America. Known for its stately form, it often grows 80–100 feet tall with a broad, rounded crown that spreads wide across fields and neighborhoods alike. Its branches offer deep shade, while its acorns provide food for countless species of wildlife.

In Texas, White Oaks aren’t as common as live oaks or red oaks, but where they grow, they stand out for their strength and longevity. Some live for centuries, marking landscapes and communities through generations. Their wood has long been trusted for everything from barrels and flooring to fine furniture — a blend of beauty and resilience that makes White Oak a true classic among hardwoods.

Photo shown here is an example of the species, not the exact tree that supplied the reclaimed wood from the New Braunfels ISD building.

About the Wood

White Oak has long been prized for its strength, stability, and beauty. Its pale, honey-brown tones carry a quiet elegance, while its tight, straight grain makes it both durable and versatile in the shop. Unlike many hardwoods, White Oak’s closed cellular structure gives it natural resistance to moisture — one reason it has been trusted for centuries in everything from barrels to flooring.

In reclaimed form, its story deepens. The boards saved from the New Braunfels ISD building hold not only the qualities of the species but also the legacy of the place they came from. Each cut reveals a balance of strength and warmth, ready to take on new life in boards, serving pieces, and keepsakes meant to last.

Why It Matters

Every board of New Braunfels ISD White Oak carries more than the strength of a classic hardwood — it carries the story of a historic building, a community, and a save from the dumpster. This oak came directly from the old reception desk, shown here — furniture that once served generations of students and staff inside the 1913 schoolhouse.

When the renovation cleared it out, the desk could have been discarded as waste. Instead, it was reclaimed and given the chance to live on. To me, that’s what reclaimed woodworking is about: honoring the past while shaping something for the future. This White Oak once framed daily life in New Braunfels; now, in bowls, boards, and keepsakes, it continues its story — not discarded, but carried forward.

Original oak reception desk inside the historic New Braunfels ISD building, from which reclaimed white oak was saved.

Made From NBISD White Oak

White Oak cutting board with purpleheart and maple accent strips.

Cutting board crafted from New Braunfels ISD White Oak with Allen Purpleheart and Seguin ISD Maple accents — available now.

Turned bowl made from reclaimed White Oak, showing smooth grain and natural color.

Turned bowl highlighting the fine grain of New Braunfels ISD White Oak — available now.

White Oak cutting board with yellowheart and maple accent strips.

Cutting board crafted from New Braunfels ISD White Oak with Yellowheart and Seguin ISD Maple accents — available now.

The pieces above are available now and linked to their product pages, so you can claim one directly. You can also view what else is available in the shop — or request something custom made from New Braunfels ISD White Oak or any of the other reclaimed woods in my collection.