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Oldenburg's Aschen
and Heintze Store
Courtesy
Fayette Heritage Museum & Archives |
History in
a Pecan Shell
Oldenburg was
settled in 1886, and they received their post office the following
year. Many of the German immigrants in this part of Texas were from
the Duchys of Oldenburg and Westphalia back in Germany. They had previously
been in the Cat Spring
/ Frelsburg area, but were looking
for greener pastures now that the Indian threat was gone and the Civil
War over.
Another group moved to Falls
County where they named their town Westphalia.
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The
old Store in Oldenburg
TE photo,
2001 |
The school in
Oldenburg did not teach the necessary grades for high school graduations,
so students in their last years traveled to either LaGrange
or Fayetteville.
In 1944 it was consolidated into the Fayetteville Rural District and
the building was sold at auction and was rebuilt as a barn.
A reunion was held in 1974. The year the school closed, schoolteachers
were making $100.00 per month. The total yearly salary was $880.00.
When Oldenburg competed with area schools, they were known as the
Oldenburg Owls. |
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An
unusual structure in Oldenburg
TE photo,
2001 |
| Oldenburg never
really became a population center. They traded in LaGrange
and voted in Rutersville. The
population was a mere 150 in 1950 and the 1990 census showed only
54 people called Oldenburg home. |
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Oldenburg
Hammer Fest sign
TE photo,
2001 |
Oldenburg,
Texas Forum
Subject: Oldenburg
Several years ago my folks traveled through your town of Oldenburg
and took a picture in front of the store. Our family name is Oldenburg,
so I thought I'd look you up on the internet. I found the information
very interesting and enjoyed the pictures there. Thank you - Marcia
Oldenburg, November 18, 2005
Anyone wishing to share history or photos of Oldenburg,
Texas, please contact
us.
© John Troesser
Sources: The Handbook of Texas Online
Fayette County: Past and Present, Edited by Marjorie Williams, 1976
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| 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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