Germany

Settled by families of former slaves following the Civil War, this community received its name, according to local tradition, in reference to the homeland of the German immigrant family that had settled in the area in the 1830s. Several freedmen, including George Smith, John Burt, Lewis Hall, and Van Benton and their families, obtained pre-emption land grants in the area in the 1870s and 1880s, and soon a close-knit community was formed. Although the Germany community did not have its own post office and never was incorporated formally, its citizens organized the New Pleasant Hill Baptist Church and a public school. The church still serves a loyal congregation. The school held classes in a building shared with the church. It was expanded, possibly with Julius Rosenwald Fund assistance, and continued in operation until 1949. Still a rural community, Germany is home to a few resident families and serves as a gathering place for former residents. Many former citizens are returned here for burial in the community cemetery, which dates to the 1880s. Maintained by citizens and volunteers, the cemetery contains marked and unmarked graves of pioneer settlers and their descendants. (1997)

Germany is a historical marker in Germany, Houston County, dedicated in 1997. It is one of 185 historical markers documented in Houston County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 361 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 31.4262, -95.3569 near Germany. The nearest cataloged historic site is Grounds Family (cemetery), about 0.6 miles away. Others within a short drive include Manning, Grounds Cemetery, and Parker Cemetery.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5225011195. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.