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History in
a Pecan Shell
Named by German immigrants for their former home in Germany, the community
was granted a post office in 1900. Store and saloonkeeper Adolf Wachsmann
also served as the community postmaster.
The 1914 population was estimated to be 50 residents. The nearness
to Giddings had an effect
on growth. Several businesses were open in the 1930s, and there was
a small school and church. But commercially, there wasn’t much more.
After WWII the
population was given as thirty. By the late 1980s it was given as
forty – where it remained for the 2000 census. |
| "When we
drove into Manheim we found these three buildings still standing right
next door to each other - the Wachsmann grocery, flanked by the barn
for feed on its right and a small building on its left (which might
have been home/post office)" -
John J. Germann |
This might have
been Wachsmann's home/post office
Photo courtesy
John J. Germann, May 2015 |
| "It is a
last day cover signed by the postmaster, Adolph Wachsmann (a good
old German name!). As it turns out he was the only postmaster that
Manheim ever had for all 32 years of its existence: 1900-1932. But,
as you can tell from the brief "bio" he had a lot of other things
going in the community. He lived from 1871-1948." -
John J. Germann |
Lee
County 1920s map showing Manheim
From Texas state map #10749
Courtesy
Texas General Land Office |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact
us. |
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