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History in
a Pecan Shell
Shelby was a settlement
in Austin County
that did not undergo a German name-change. A David Shelby was said
to have been an original settler, however the founder of the town
was one Otto von Roder (complete with umlaut). Otto had a mill for
processing grain and the town was also known among the Germans as
Rodersmuhl (Roder's Mill).
The mill was bought from Roder by August Vogelsang (Birdsong) and
tombstone of the Vogelsang family is visible in the
cemetery photo.
The post office was opened in 1846 under the name Shelby and by 1884
the 75 residents had three saloons, three stores, and a variety of
essential businesses.
1904 was when Shelby's population peaked, and although the post office
closed in 1912, the population remained at about 200 until after WWII.
Today Shelby remains one of the more picturesque crossroads in the
area and is not to be left out of driving tours.
See Town of Shelby Historical Marker
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The Old St.
Paul's Lutheran Church
Shelby Area Historical Society today
Photo courtesy Gerald
Massey, July 2011
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Shelby Historical
Marker
Town of Shelby
Named for 1822
settler David Shelby, this town grew up at the mill of German pioneer
Otto Von Roeder. The Ohlendorfs, Vogelsangs, Rothermels, and Vanderwerths
arrived in 1845; other Germans came in ensuing years. The post office
opened 1846 with Shelby as postmaster. A school (1854), an agricultural
society, a singing society and a band were started. Mission work,
begun in 1876, led to founding of Peace Lutheran and St.
Paul Lutheran churches. By 1900 there were at least a dozen businesses
here. Decline of farming led residents to live on ancestral land and
work in cities.
(1974) |
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Shelby Historical
Marker
Intersection of FM 1457 and FM 389
Photo courtesy Gerald
Massey, July 2011
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Harmonie Hall,
1875
FM 389
Photo courtesy Gerald
Massey, July 2011
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Transcription
of Harmonie Hall History photo below:
Harmonie Hall
History
The organization
of Harmonie Hall actually does not have very much written history
except for one treasurer's book that begins n January 2, 1881. Some
of the information in this account was from that book and others was
obtained by interview. Melvin and Katie Schultz, members of the hall,
were able to help with reading the German and translate for me when
I compiled this several years ago. Mr. Frank Schramm, who had been
a hall member for 73 years when this was written, shared many of his
memories and that was very interesting. Mr. Schramm was able to enjoy
his 100th birthday celebration at the hall but sadly passed away a
couple of years ago.
Our organization dates back to 1875 when it was formed by a group
of community members of this area. According to Mr. Schramm, this
organization had it's beginning at Skull Creek, which is an area about
2-1\2 miles from the current location. He remembered his father telling
him that they first built a raised platform for dancing and other
activities and it blew down. Being very determined Germans they used
mules and pulled it back up only to have it blown down a second time.
It was at that time that they decided to move to Shelby and build
a hall. The main part of the hall is of that original structure. We
do not know the cost of the building but do know that apparently bonds
were sold to members to help pay for the construction. The amount
of bonds listed in the book we have totals to $1,383.00 a were repaid
at a rate of 10% per year until paid in full.
In 1881 there were 57 members and all were men. Ladies were not permitted
in the organization until 1977, but we've come a long way. We now
have women for the positions of President, Treasurer, and Secretary.
Our membership was 184, when this was written, however we only have
a few active members. Not very many for all the activities held here
but we are trying to keep it going and if we may so, we're doing quite
well.
Mr. Schramm was able to give information about some rules and happenings
in those early years. At the beginning it was a rule that if a member
died there would be a period of silence or mourning for 30 days. During
that time no celebrations or dances could be held. Since people didn't
live as long in those days it happened several times that several
months went by with no activities. He said that this rule was changed
because it wasn't good for the treasury.
In the beginning the hall was lighted with candles, which were purchased
for 3 cents each and with oil lamps that were suspended from the ceiling
with wire.
The interior of the hall had benches on both sides where the single
ladies would sit. Single men would stand behind a fenced (with chicken
wire) area called 'the bull pen" and that was across the part of the
hall where the double doors are located. There was a hat stand in
the corner at which men could check their hats for 5 cents. At one
time the Shelby baseball team ran the stand to earn money for their
expenses. Many changes have been made to the structure over the years.
Some of the more important ones may be electricity, indoor plumbing
and air conditioning.
As well as physical changes from those early years I've included a
few price comparisons. In 1881 they purchased 300 cigars for $7.50.
Eleven kegs of beer (must have been a feast) were purchased for $41.50
and now only one large keg sells for $116.00. Mr. Scramm stated that
water sold for 5 cents for a large bottle and beer sold for 5 cents
per large mug. He said he worked in the bar dance one night and a
man came to the dance with 50 cents, went home drunk and had 20 cents
change in his pocket.
Musicians charged $18.50 for music in 1883. Today we pay as much a
$2,500 for a band on New Year's Eve. We found an account of paying
meal tickets for the musicians at a feast, all for $3.20. fruit for
all Christmas bags was $2.00 ad paper and stamps were 50 cents. They
purchased 6 chairs for $4.50 and the last chairs purchased were $10.00
for one chair.
In the beginning there was a feast held each year on October 6th no
matter what day of the week that happened to be. Those feasts were
more on the order of fairs. People would bring samples of crops or
produce, it would be judged and small prizes would be given. As it
became more difficult for people from other towns to attend, the feast
was changed to Labor Day weekend and that continued until 2008.
Our hall and organization has seen many changes over the years and
we can proudly say, "changes for the best.". Many people that grew
up here or lived in this area have many memories of events held here.
The members of Harmonie Hall are proud of the German heritage and
this community. |
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Shelby Cemetery
Most of the early headstones are in German
FM 1457 and Voelkel Road
Photo
courtesy Gerald
Massey, July 2011
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Shelby Store
TE Photo, 2002
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Shelby, Texas
Forum
I
am interested in volunteering at Shelby Cemetery, in Shelby, Texas,
Austin County. I need to find out how and whom I need to be in contact
with. My relation to the site is several German ancestors are buried
there. I visited this past weekend, and noticed that the place needs
some TLC and I want to help. - Thanks, Travis Brown, June 21, 2004
This page for Shelby, Texas sponsored by: Robert Castillo9/01 |
| 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
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