Korean Texans

Korean immigrants first came to Texas in the early 20th century, with a handful living in the state by the 1920s. Most were laborers arriving from the Western U.S., including Hawai’i, or from Mexico. However, larger numbers of Koreans immigrated following the Korean War (1950-53). The U.S. Established military bases in Korea, and many U.S. servicemen met and married Korean women while stationed there, returning with their wives to Texas installations like Fort Hood (Bell Co.), Fort Bliss (El Paso Co.), and Fort Sam Houston (Bexar Co.). Additionally, a number of Korean orphans were adopted by Texas families following the war, particularly by Dallas residents. An increasing number of Korean nurses and other professionals immigrated to the state after 1965, when the national origins quota system was abolished. Most of these professionals settled in urban areas, establishing growing communities in cities like Dallas and Houston. Others opened businesses in these cities and others throughout Texas. Korean business districts developed in Irving (Dallas Co.), Killeen (Hood Co.), and Houston’s Spring Branch neighborhood (Harris Co.). As Korean immigrants arrived in Texas, they often formed communities centering on Christian and Catholic churches. A number of ethnic Korean churches were established in Dallas, Houston, Killeen, and other cities with large Korean populations. The churches and other organizations helped arriving Koreans acclimate to life in the U.S. Today, the social, cultural, political, and commercial impact of Korean texans continues to make a positive contribution to the state.

Korean Texans is a historical marker in Carrollton, Dallas County, dedicated in 2009. It is one of 352 historical markers documented in Dallas County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 574 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 32.9858, -96.9113 near Carrollton. The nearest cataloged historic site is Snyder-Kennedy Family (cemetery), about 0.7 miles away. Others within a short drive include Perry Cemetery, Perry Cemetery, and Union Baptist Church.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5507016248. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.