ENGLE, TEXAS

Fayette County, Central Texas S

29° 40' 52" N, 97° 0' 34" W (29.681111, -97.009444)
Highway 90
SW of La Grange
5 miles E of Flatonia
5 miles W of Schulenburg
100 miles W of Houston
100 miles E of San Antonio
Population: 106 est. (2000)

Engle, Texas Area Hotels ›La Grange Hotels

The simple and elegant Engle Depot
Photo Courtesy the George Koudelka Collection

History in a Pecan Shell

The area was settled in the 1850s by Czech immigrants. Nearby Praha became the cultural center of the area - especialy after the church was constructed in the 1880s. Engle residents worshipped in Praha and the Praha cemetery made a separate one for Engle unnecessary.

J. E. Engle, an engineer for the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway was the namesake of the community after a railroad stop was established in the late 1870s.

A post office was established at Engle in 1888 and closed in the 1930s. By 1900 Engle had a blacksmith, a tinsmith, a lumbersmith, and three saloonsmiths. Historic photos reveal that a photography studio also operated in Engle.

The 1950 census showed Engle had a population of 250. Today much of "downtown" Engle is occupied by a machine shop utilizing many of the town buildings. The population retains strong community ties with nearby Praha.

Another historic photo of the Engle Depot
Photo Courtesy the George Koudelka Collection
More Texas Depots

The Post Office was reportedly closed shortly after 1930
TE Photo, 2002
More Texas Post Offices

SPJST Lodge 21 as it appeared in January 2002
TE Photo
More Texas Lodges

Pepsi-Cola Ghost Sign
Photo courtesy Sarah Reveley, 2009
More Texas Ghost Signs

TE photo, July 2003

See Chudej Brothers Store Then and Now ›

Engle Chronicles

The Death of Badman Monte Peters Or
Don't fool with the law when supper's waiting

Take a road trip

Texas Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history and vintage/historic photos, please contact us.