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WESTPHALIA,
TEXASFalls
County, Central
Texas North
Hwy 320
20 miles NE of Temple
via Hwy 53
33 miles S of Waco
via Hwy 77
6 miles SW of Lott
Population: 324 (1990) Book
Your Hotel Here & Save
Waco
Hotels |
Church
of Visitation in Westphalia
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, August 2005 |
History
in Pecan Shell
Westphalia has ties with Frelsburg
in Colorado County. Some of the Germans who immigrated to Frelsburg
and New Ulm (in neighboring Austin
County) split off and went west. Some founded Oldenburg
(Fayette County) and others went Northwest to Falls County where they founded
Westphalia.
This move involved thirteen families from Frelsburg
and occurred in the year 1878. By 1895 they had completed the massive Church
of Visitation on 100 acres of land.
A school was added which is still
in use.
The Old Store, somewhat swaybacked
with age, still stands, unvarnished, unpainted, and open. Both the store and the
post office were opened in 1887. Since 1906 the mail has come through Lott.
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Westphalia
Geometry
TE photos |
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The
Old Store, Westphalia
TE photo |
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Mailbox at The Old Store in Westphalia
TE Photo, 2001 |
Westphalia
Waltz by
Clay Coppedge
Even in Texas, more people probably know more about
the song 'Westphalia Waltz' than they know about the town of Westphalia, the song's
namesake. ...
Other than the song, the Falls County community of Westphalia
is best known for its annual homecoming and picnic. About 5,000 people show up
every second Sunday in October for the fried chicken and sausage meals. Many stay
into the evening to enjoy the down home ambience of a town the German immigrants
named in honor of Westphalia Province in Germany.
The town's church,
the Church of the Visitation, is notable as the oldest wooden church in the state.
The highway that leads to Westphalia, Highway 320, is notable as the
shortest state highway in Texas. more
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