| |
| | A
representative farmhouse of the
Danish settlers in Danevang
TE Photo
1999 |
History
in a pecan Shell
Danevang (Danish Meadow or Fields) come into being in
1894. A group of Danes who had already been in the U.S. formed the nucleus.
They were joined by others who arrived directly from Denmark. The land was acquired
by the Danish People's Society and the Lutheran Church was its anchor and
support. | |
|
The
Danevang Post Office was started in 1895. The hardships of life
in Texas drove some of the settlers to California where they formed another colony,
which prospers today as a tourist attraction. |
| | | |
| | | | The
Danish Lutheran Church with History Obelisk TE Photo | One
of the older tombstones in the Cemetery TE Photo |
On the church
lawn stands a short obelisk which has a chronicle of the community's triumphs
and tragedies engraved on it.
The cemetery tombstones are nearly 100%
Danish surnames. Some of the stones have the Danish birthplaces engraved on them.
The school taught classes both in English and Danish, but they also
had language instruction in Danish during the summer months. They had their own
community library and formed several cooperatives which remain in place today.
The community still keeps weather statistics for the weather bureau.
There have been only 7 recorders since the records started being kept in 1896.
| |
|
| | Equipment
of the Danevang Agricultural Co-op
TE Photo |
The
weathervane on the new Danish Heritage Museum, combines a symbol of their
Viking Heritage with the community's fondness for weather observing.
For the interesting story
of one extraordinary Danish immigrant (but not from Danevang) see The
Esperson Building. |
| | | |
Book Your Hotel Here &
Save
El
Campo Hotels > Wharton
Hotels >
Texas
Hotels > Danevang
Texas Forum I
am a great fan of Texasescapes! What a wealth of information!!!! I need to thank
you for the coverage given Danevang. It's just a small farming community, but
we're making a real effort to preserve the Danish Heritage. The 6100 square foot
Museum is now open, but is only open Sundays 1-4, or by special arrangement by
calling Elsie Christensen 979-543-2106. .... The cemetery is truly historic ...
- Al Jensen, January 05, 2002
Anyone
wishing to share history, stories or photos of Danevang, Texas, please contact
us.
Book Your Hotel Here &
Save
El
Campo Hotels > Wharton
Hotels >
Texas
Hotels >
© John
Troesser
June 2001 | |
|
|
