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History in
a Pecan Shell
The town has a similar beginning to nearby Danevang.
Both we started as Lutheran Colonies within two years of one another
(Danevang 1894 and Olivia 1892). The primary difference was Danevang
was Danish while Olivia was made up of Swedes.
The Reverend C.J.E. Haterious brought the settlers to the
area and then named the town after his wife, Olivia Olson Haterious.
Cotton was the primary
crop and after taking their cotton all the way to Edna
for ginning in 1893; they soon bought a small gin to use right where
they were.
The town had only 50 residents in 1927, but improvements like a
highway and electricity brought the population back during the 1930s.
The school was consolidated in the wave of statewide school consolidations
during the early 1950s. Today it has about the same number of people
as it did in 1914.
See Olivia Historical Marker
>
Today the park at the end of the road (Hwy 172) is a quiet
and spacious place to have a picnic or go crabbing. It's relatively
isolated location almost guarantees a quiet visit.
Photographer's Note:
"The town is off 172 to the right (west) on an unmarked
turn." - Ken
Rudine
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Olivia on the
The Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail
Photo courtesy Gerald
Massey, October 2010
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The Great Texas
Coastal Birding Trail sign
Photo courtesy Gerald
Massey, October 2010 |
Ibis in Olivia
Haterius Park
TE photo,
2001 |
A view from Olivia
Haterius Park
TE photo, 2001 |
The park on Kellers
Bay
TE photo 2001 |
Olivia Historical
Marker
Photo courtesy Ken
Rudine, 2008 |
Historical Marker
Text:
Olivia
Established in 1892, the community of Olivia was named for Olivia
Haterius, wife of the Rev. Carl J. E. Haterius, a Swedish Lutheran
minister who bought land in the area and advertised a new settlement
to other Swedish immigrants in the Midwest. Twelve Swedish families
responded to the initial advertisement and moved to Olivia with
others following in a few years By 1900 a number of non-Swedish
families had settled here, as well.
The first public building in Olivia was a one-room schoolhouse where
children were taught during the day and parents attended classes
at night to learn English. The Eden Lutheran Church held services
in the schoolhouse until 1910, when a sanctuary was built.
John Lind built the first store in the community on Carancahua Bay
in 1894. The post office was housed in Lind's store and mail was
delivered once a week. Lind moved his store to the center of the
townsite in 1900. In 1906 Edward Wilson, another Swedish immigrant,
bought the Olivia store and was appointed postmaster. Other businesses
included a hotel, doctor's office, grocery store, blacksmith shop,
and cotton gin. Since 1900 the thriving community has changed and
grown, but retains its proud Swedish heritage.
(1992)
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Historical Marker
Text:
Olivia Cemetery
In 1892, the Rev. Carl J. E. Haterius of Galesburg, Illinois, acquired
land at this site with the intention of establishing a community
for Swedish settlers. He named the settlement for his wife, Olivia.
When the townsite was laid out in 1893, land was set aside for this
burial ground in association with the Swedish Lutheran Eden Church.
The earliest marked grave is that of Anna Bernardino Wilson, who
died in 1902. Swedes and non-Swedes together contributed to the
early development of Olivia, and the community cemetery serves as
a reminder of their contributions.
(1986)
Correction: The oldest marked grave in the Olivia Cemetery is that
of Christina B. Cavallin, who died in 1897.
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Calhoun
County TX 1907 Postal Map showing Olivia
Courtesy Texas General Land Office |
Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
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