Oldenburg, Texas, Fayette County. (original) (raw)

Oldenburg, Texas store historic photo

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.

old store in Oldenburg, Texas 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 100.00permonth.Thetotalyearlysalarywas100.00 per month. The total yearly salary was 100.00permonth.Thetotalyearlysalarywas880.00. When Oldenburg competed with area schools, they were known as the Oldenburg Owls.

Texas unusual German architecture 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.

Oldenburg Hammer Fest metal sign 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

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.