ANDER, TEXAS

Goliad County, South Texas

FM 1961
2 miles E of Weser
16 miles N of Goliad the county seat
Population: 35 (1990)

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First Turkey Trot, Cuero, Texas 1912 photo

The first Turkey Trot in Cuero, Texas
Vintage photo courtesy William Beauchamp Collection

History in a Pecan Shell

Ander started life under the name Hanover. The settlers were German - and followed a tradition of naming towns after their towns back in the old country. Westphalia, Oldenburg, New Berlin, and Breman, just to mention a few more.

The town pre-dates the Civil War and the farmers were used to driving their turkeys to Cuero and taking pigs to Yorktown by wagon, so they weren't too bothered when a railroad never arrived.

St. Peter's Lutheran Church became the first church in Goliad County, although the present one only dates from 1966. Ander's mail was brought weekly from Meyersville until they applied for their own post office in 1900. They were disappointed in finding the name taken, so they decided to honor the Pastor of the Church, Theo Ander. The application was granted and the post office operated until 1920. Rural delivery started in 1927, eliminating the need to use Weser's post office.

The Ander school was consolidated with Goliad in 1944.

Ander early store and post office
Photo courtesy William Beauchamp, October 2008

Ander, Texas Today

Photographer's Note:
The old early store & post office is getting in pretty rough shape now. It was the center of the community and sits on the curve on FM Road 1961. It was owned by my GGG-Grandfather Tobias Willms & Family. Immigrants from Germany, they were one of the prominent families of the community. The family descendents continued to run the store and also owned the local Cotton Gin. Many headstones in the Cemetery show there German heritage. - William Beauchamp

Ander TX Antonette Friedrichs Tombstone1

L - Tobias Willms Headstone
R - Antonette Friedrichs Headstone
Photo courtesy William Beauchamp, October 2008

A view of the Ander Cemetery
TE photo, 2001

The Bell of St. Peter's Church in Ander
TE photo, 2001

Ander Lutheran Church & Cemetery
Photo courtesy William Beauchamp, October 2008
See Texas Churches | Texas Cemeteries

Old gas station
Photo courtesy William Beauchamp, October 2008
See Texas Gas Stations

Ander, Texas Forum

I just found your little piece on Ander, TX and thought I would send in a correction. The piece on the 'old school house' is correct up to the point of it being the 'community center.' It 'was' the community center for years and served well. However, in the early 1990s it was decided that there was so little interest in the organization and they could no longer maintain it and it was sold. It is now a private residence in Bee County.

I am one of the '35' residence in Ander and the community was once on our family property. Thanks for including our little community on your website. - Glen L. Baecker, CLU, September 2, 2003

Goliad County 1940s map showing Ander
near DeWitt and Victoria County lines
From Texas state map #4335
Courtesy Texas General Land Office

Take a road trip

Ander, Texas Nearby Towns:
Goliad the county seat

See Goliad County | DeWitt County | Victoria County

South Texas

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