|
|
Our
Lady of Consolation Church, c. 1920
Photo courtesy Gerald Walker, October 2007 |
|
Vattmann was
once called Vattmannville after Father Edward J. Vattmann
who was secretary to the Catholic Colonization Society. Vattmann
was invited to visit the area by Theodore Koch, land developer for
Riviera and Riviera
Beach.
Father Vattmann was impressed with the location and with his approval,
German Catholic families started moving there. The first family
was from Westphalia,
Texas (Falls County). Others came from other parts of the U.S.
and they built their first church in 1909.
|
|
|
The church as seen from the cotton field
Photo by John Troesser, July 2001 |
| |
|
The present
church, Our Lady of Consolation, was built in 1920, after the devastating
1916 hurricane.
Vegetable crops and the raising of dairy cattle were the main occupations.
Today the entire community is surrounded by cotton crops, which
grow nearly up to the door of the church.
|
|
|
School
house, church and cotton field
Photo by John Troesser, July 2001 |
| |
The
school (built next to the church) started sending its students to
Riviera in 1948 and the town shrank for the same reasons other small
towns shrank after World War II. The population had been given as
an estimated 20 persons from 1939 to 1948, but it has dwindled to
even fewer than that in recent years.
Book Your Hotel Here & Save
Kingsville
Hotels
Corpus
Christi Hotels
More
Hotels |
|
|
The former town of Vattmanville
Photo by John Troesser, July 2001 |
| |
|
|
Wedding
Photos
Photos courtesy Mr. Gerald Walker, a descendant of Charles and Amanda
... Orlando Underbrink was the man who built the famous King's Inn
restaurant.
...Olando's daughter Idella Underbrink Strubhart .. started the local
museum that occupies the former Riviera post office building. |
| |
Vattmann
Texas Forum
I have visted
your site on many occasions and really enjoy all of it. I think
the name of the Church at Vatmannville in Kleberg County must be
a misprint. I have never been there, but as a practicing Catholic
I am sure the name of the parish is not Our Lady of Consolidation
but rather Our Lady of CONSOLATION. Thanks again for a most enjoyable
site on Texas. - Paul Thompson, March 07, 2002
I am the descendent
of Remlinger Underbrink. My great great grandfather was the one
who drew the floor plan for that Church. The name of the Church
is Our Lady of Consolation Church. Ignatius Underbrink (grandfather)
was the architect. Orlando Underbrink (great uncle) built the three
solid oak alters.
Loyola Beach was named after my grandfather Ignatius Loyola Underbrink.
My great uncle Orlando Underbrink built the Cafe which at that time
was called Orlando Cafa. In 1945 he leased the Inn and opened a
restaurant specializing in fish and chicken. Later they added a
full range of seafood dishes.
Further down South Texas at the near end of King Ranch near Raymonville,
my Dad's brother-in-law and Dad went duck hunting behind the King
Ranch on Nov 3.1932 and there Names where Luther and John Blanton
and they disappeared. To this day they have never been found. -
G Walker, February 19, 2003
To share history or photos of Vattmann, Texas, please contact
us.
© John Troesser
|
|
|
