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DUBINA,
TEXAS
Texas Ghost Town
The First Czech Settlement in Texas
Fayette County, Central Texas S
FM 1383
2 miles N of Hwy 90
5 miles E of Schulenburg
15 miles SE of La Grange
18 miles W of Columbus
90 miles W of Houston
104 miles E of San Antonio
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History in
a Pecan Shell
Dubina
dates from 1856 when a group of recently arrived Czech immigrants
found shelter under a group of large oak trees (Dubina is Czech
for Oak Grove). Its first name, however, was Navidad and
then Bohemian Navidad (after the nearby Navidad River).
The settlers planted cotton and harvested only one bale from their
first crop. Just when they were adjusting to life in Fayette County
along came the Civil War and many of the men were drafted.
After the war, Dubina became a toehold for recently arrived Czech
immigrants, much like the nearby town of Hackberry
was for German settlers.
The railroad
ran straight from Weimar
to Schulenburg
in 1873 and Dubina was ignored. Population was drawn off, yet by
1900, the church still served 600 families who lived within the
sound of the Saints Cyril and Methodius' Church bell.
Dubina's first church was built in 1876, but was destroyed by a
1909 hurricane. Rebuilt in 1912, it survived a fire that
all but destroyed the town.
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"Endangered
Historic Properties of Texas" -
The Old Peter's Family Store in Dubina
TE photo March 2001 |
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The
"Piano Bridge"
Following the road ( County Road 480 ) past the church in Dubina,
you will pass the Old Dubina Store and continuing west you will cross
the "Piano Bridge"
It's one of the few remaining iron bridges in Fayette County. more
Photo
Courtesy Gordon Hesketh |
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