More History
In 1937, Ella Faust sold the house to Arthur C. Mergele, and the house then became known as the "Mergele House". One New Braunfels resident vividly remembers watching television for the first time at the house in the 1950's which was home to her beloved "Tante Hanna" (Aunt Hanna).

The First Protestant Church acquired the house some 20 years later, and used it as an education building. Needing parking space for its growing congregation. The church sold the building in 1978. It was moved to a 10-acre site on Gruene Road and Hanz Drive, which was then outside the city limits of New Braunfels, about a mile from the historic area of Gruene. In the process of that first move, 4 standing chimneys were taken down, the house was cut in half, and the top of the roof was removed. Before the roof could be replaced, the house sustained severe rain damage, and a large portion of the interior was affected. Only 2 chimneys were rebuilt.

In 1981, the house changed hands again, and was moved to a small parcel of land fronting on Gruene Road. This time, only one chimney was left standing, to vent the kitchen stove. Major remodeling was done by this owner - kitchen cabinets were custom built and central air and heat were added.

In September, 1992, the Miles moved it across the road to it's present site. With Ed, the designer and general contractor, doing all the painting, carpentry and roofing himself, and Billie, with her natural artistic bent, doing all the interior decorating, they had, in the local vernacular - created "a silk purse from a sow's ear" in less than five years.

After the house was moved, rotten porches were torn off and rebuilt along with the porch railings and stairs, decaying overhangs and roof eaves were replaced, roofing was repaired, the foundation was completely reconstructed, windows were repaired, replaced and recaulked, the entire exterior structure was repainted using colors of the period. In the interior, tall pocket doors between  living and dining rooms were no longer usable and were removed. Plumbing, wiring, air conditioning and heating were completely redone to be brought up to code. Molding was replaced and added, matching the original molding in the house.

Today, the Faust House stands fully restored and is a grand exhibition of early 20th century Texas style Victorian architecture and design.