Manheim, AKA Mannheim, Texas, Lee County. (original) (raw)

History in a Pecan Shell

Named by German immigrants for their former home in Germany, the community was granted a post office in 1900. Store and saloonkeeper Adolf Wachsmann also served as the community postmaster.

The 1914 population was estimated to be 50 residents. The nearness to Giddings had an effect on growth. Several businesses were open in the 1930s, and there was a small school and church. But commercially, there wasn�t much more.

After WWII the population was given as thirty. By the late 1980s it was given as forty � where it remained for the 2000 census.

"When we drove into Manheim we found these three buildings still standing right next door to each other - the Wachsmann grocery, flanked by the barn for feed on its right and a small building on its left (which might have been home/post office)" - John J. Germann

This might have been Wachsmann's home/post office
Photo courtesy John J. Germann, May 2015

"It is a last day cover signed by the postmaster, Adolph Wachsmann (a good old German name!). As it turns out he was the only postmaster that Manheim ever had for all 32 years of its existence: 1900-1932. But, as you can tell from the brief "bio" he had a lot of other things going in the community. He lived from 1871-1948." - John J. Germann

Lee County 1920s map showing Manheim
From Texas state map #10749
Courtesy Texas General Land Office

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