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MENTZ,
TEXAS
Colorado County,
Central Texas S
Not on State Highway Map
Mentz and Frelsburg Roads
7 miles NE of Columbus
Population: Estimated at 300
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The
church in Mentz
Photo by John Troesser |
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History
in a Pecan Shell
Mentz' history is primarily based on its church and post office.
The first settlers came in the 1840s with the Mainz Society - an organization
formed to oversee immigration issues and look after the welfare of
its members. Originally called Neu Mainz, after the city in Germany,
it was later corrupted into Mentz.
Most of the settlers were German Catholics from Büdesheim, in the
German provence of Hesse. In 1858 a church was built and named after
a chapel back in the old country. St. Roch's Catholic Church remains
the community's dominant stucture.
A Catholic school taught by the Sisters of Divine Providence was in
operation from 1872 to 1916.
A post office was opened in the 1850s and called San Bernard - after
the shallow river nearby. Renamed New Mainz in 1860, it was closed
after the Civil War. It reopened under the name Mentz in the late
1880s and closed again in the mid 1890s. It opened yet again in 1897
but in 1913 mail delivery went through the post office at Alleyton.
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Mentz or
Neu Mainz, Texas Forum
Subject:
Mentz, Texas
Dear TE, I happened upon your website one day and can’t get enough!
I’ve come to be quite a history buff to Texas history and love reading
about the rich stories in Texas Escapes.
My wife’s family is from the Mentz area with a Cat Spring address.
My wife’s Father had a band and played the Mentz Picnic for many
years. As his children got old enough to play an instrument they
were brought into the band. In the early 1960’s they were known
as The Sunset Playboys and as his daughters and sons learned their
instruments the name morphed into The Sunset Playboys and Girls.
As time changes things my wife’s brother took over the band and
called themselves The Country Pickers with some none family members,
but as fate would have it eventually it became an all family band
again and that’s when they became known as the The Family Tradition
Band. All the while playing for different events and yes, the Mentz
Picnic.
Through the years the band had opportunities to open for Legends
of country music like Willie Nelson in 1995. James Bonamy in 1996,
and David Allan Coe in 1997. The band finally retired in February
2005 with the last show being for the Danevang Volunteer Fire Department
in El Campo. Best Regards and Happy Trails, Barney Lee Douglas,
December 24, 2006
Anyone wishing to share chistory or photos of Mentz or Neu Mainz,
Texas, please contact
us.
© John Troesser
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