JAN ZABCIK SR. (1810-1881), HIS WIFE, ANNA HRUSKA (1825-1900), AND DAUGHTERS JOHANNA AND KATERINA TRAVELED TO GALVESTON, TEXAS FROM MORAVIA IN 1856 ALONG WITH JAN’S BROTHER, MARTIN ZABCIK, AND SISTER, ANNA ZABCIK. ONCE IN TEXAS, THE ZABCIKS MADE THEIR WAY TO CAT SPRINGS IN AUSTIN COUNTY. WHILE LIVING AND WORKING IN PARTS OF AUSTIN AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES, THE ZABCIKS HAD FIVE MORE CHILDREN: JOHN (JAN JR.), ANNA, MARIE, MARTIN AND JOSEPH. IN 1886, ANNA ZABCIK AND HER HUSBAND, JAN (JOHN) KADLECEK MOVED TO BELL COUNTY, FOLLOWED BY HER BROTHER, JAN JR., AND THEIR BROTHER-IN-LAW, MARTIN STEPAN. THEY ALL PURCHASED LAND IN BELL COUNTY AS LAND OWNERSHIP WAS A DETERMINING FACTOR IN STATUS IN THE CZECH COMMUNITY. THE AREA WAS ORIGINALLY KNOWN AS KOCENDA, BUT CHANGED TO LUGOVILLE AROUND 1905 WHEN JOHN ALFRED LUGO (1875-1963) OPENED A STORE IN THE COMMUNITY. IN 1907, LUGO SOLD HIS STORE AND HOUSE TO FRANK JOSPEH MAREK SR. (1884-1961) WHO CHANGED THE NAME TO MAREKVILLE. THE NAME CHANGED A FINAL TIME IN 1923 WHEN FRANK ZABCIK PURCHASED THE STORE, SALOON, HOUSE AND LAND AND CHANGED THE NAME TO ZABCIKVILLE. FRANK ZABCIK REPLACED THE OLD STORE BUILDING WITH A NEW STUCCO-FACED STRUCTURE IN 1932 AND THE AREA AND BUSINESSES GREW. OTHER BUSINESSES INCLUDED A COTTON GIN, BLACKSMITH SHOP, AUTOMOBILE REPAIR GARAGE, GRANARY AND CAFÉ. IN ADDITION, MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WERE INVOLVED IN SOCIAL ACTIVITIES SUCH AS SPORTS, ENTERTAINMENT SHOWS AND RELIGIOUS ASSOCIATIONS, AND JOINED TO FORM CO-OPS. MOST OF THE ORIGINAL LAND PURCHASED BY THE ZABCIK FAMILY REMAINS IN THE HANDS OF DESCENDANTS. CITIZENS OF THE AREA CONTINUE TO FARM THE LAND AND PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY. (2012)
Zabcikville
The roadside stories worth pulling over for.
Zabcikville is a historical marker in Temple, Bell County, dedicated in 2012. It is one of 223 historical markers documented in Bell County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 399 historic sites cataloged across the county.
The site sits at 31.0455, -97.1666 near Temple. The nearest cataloged historic site is Ocker Brethren Church (historical marker), about 0.7 miles away. Others within a short drive include Bartek, Cyclone, and Red Ranger.
This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5507017299. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.
Get Texas Roam — all 28,000 sites in your pocket
See this site and every marker, cemetery, courthouse, museum and landmark across Texas on one live map — find what's near you, get directions, and check in as you roam.
