Oldenburg

The land in this area was included in a Mexican land grant awarded to Nathaniel Townsend in 1838. Portions of the grant were sold to a succession of different people over the years, and in 1885 August Heintze and Gus Steenken, both natives of Oldenburg, Germany, founded a community and named it after their hometown. The majority of the settlers in this area were immigrants from Germany and Bohemia. At its height Oldenburg boasted homes, farms, and a number of businesses and institutions, including stores, saloons, a cotton gin, tin shop, doctors' office, blacksmith shop, post office, church, dance halls (festplatz), and schools. The first school in the community was known as the German and Bohemian Oldenburg School. Founded in 1898, it was succeeded in 1922 by Oldenburg Common School District No.5. A separate school for black students opened about 1930. By 1944, both schools were consolidated with the Fayetteville School District. Descendants of early German and Bohemian settlers continue to reside in this vicinity. (1990)

Oldenburg is a historical marker in Oldenburg, Fayette County, dedicated in 1990. It is one of 125 historical markers documented in Fayette County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 209 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 29.9757, -96.7668 near Oldenburg. The nearest cataloged historic site is Robinson (cemetery), about 2.1 miles away. Others within a short drive include Townsend-Bremer House, Rutersville, and Rutersville.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5149003838. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.