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 Texas : Towns A-Z / Gulf Coast : Danevang

DANEVANG, TEXAS

Wharton County, Texas Gulf Coast
Hwy 71
10 miles S of El Campo
47 miles S of Columbus
85 miles SW of Houston

Population: 61

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Danish farmhouse in Danevang Texas
A representative farmhouse of the
Danish settlers in Danevang
TE Photo 1999

History in a pecan Shell
Danevang (Danish Meadow or Fields) come into being in 1894. A group of Danes who had already been in the U.S. formed the nucleus. They were joined by others who arrived directly from Denmark. The land was acquired by the Danish People's Society and the Lutheran Church was its anchor and support.

 

The Danevang Post Office was started in 1895. The hardships of life in Texas drove some of the settlers to California where they formed another colony, which prospers today as a tourist attraction.

Danevang post office
  
Old tombstone in Danevang Texas
The Danish Lutheran Church with History Obelisk TE PhotoOne of the older tombstones in the Cemetery TE Photo

On the church lawn stands a short obelisk which has a chronicle of the community's triumphs and tragedies engraved on it.

The cemetery tombstones are nearly 100% Danish surnames. Some of the stones have the Danish birthplaces engraved on them.

The school taught classes both in English and Danish, but they also had language instruction in Danish during the summer months. They had their own community library and formed several cooperatives which remain in place today.

The community still keeps weather statistics for the weather bureau. There have been only 7 recorders since the records started being kept in 1896.

 

Danevang Co op
Equipment of the Danevang Agricultural Co-op
TE Photo

The weathervane on the new Danish Heritage Museum, combines a symbol of their Viking Heritage with the community's fondness for weather observing.

For the interesting story of one extraordinary Danish immigrant (but not from Danevang) see The Esperson Building.

Danish weathervane in Danevang Texas
  

Danevang Texas Forum

I am a great fan of Texasescapes! What a wealth of information!!!! I need to thank you for the coverage given Danevang. It's just a small farming community, but we're making a real effort to preserve the Danish Heritage. The 6100 square foot Museum is now open.... The cemetery is truly historic ... - Al Jensen, January 05, 2002

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This page last modified: March 21, 2009