DANBURY, TEXAS

History in a Pecan Shell

Unpopulated, except for ranchers and determined farmers, the community didn’t really start until the railroad arrived in 1905-06. The land, which had been inaccessible, was now available. The name’s origin is said to originate from one of two men named Dan, not the city in Connecticut.

The land was advertised in newspaper in the Midwest and North and as prospective buyers came, a hotel was built to accommodate them. A model farm was planted and in 1909 the community was granted a post office.

Austin Bayou, with its water connection to markets in Galveston constructed docks for farmers. The produce included watermelons, onions, cabbages and strawberries.

The climate was disagreeable to the American farmers and many left. Soon Czech farmers (who accepted the climate as normal for America) arrived.

Danbury’s first classes were held in a private home until a brick school was built in 1920. The former school was divide to serve both Protestant and Catholic congregations.

During World War I, Danbury served as an auxiliary landing strip for Ellington Field. It was one stop on a cross-country flight route.

After a brief period of oil production, Danbury returned to raising cattle and producing rice.

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