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 H-E-B
Celebrations
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Oktoberfest in Texas? Well, it may not sound very Texan to those outside of the state, but anyone even remotely familiar with Texas history knows that people of German heritage played an influential role in Texas' past. In fact, back in the mid-1800s, they were part of one of the largest ethnic groups in our state. And, even today, people of German descent make up over 17.5 percent of Texas' population.  So where did this all begin?Back in the early 1830s the town of Industry was founded as the first permanent German settlement in Texas. (The name Industry is thought to have come from the cigar industry in the area.) One of the town's founders, Friedrich Ernst, wrote letters to friends back in Germany, describing Texas as being nothing less than a paradise. These inspiring letters, along with the economic climate in Germany at the time and the availability of land in Texas, created conditions that were ripe for the largest single German immigration into the United States (from 1830 to 1900). Those who came from Germany to Texas were a diverse group, from peasant farmers to intellectuals. Even so, many shared a common goal—the hope of economic opportunity and stability—and many settled in what is known today as the German Belt. This "belt" comprises an area in the south central part of the state, running from the Coastal Plain (Houston) to the Hill Country (Fredericksburg). In the beginning, rural Texas Germans maintained many of their cultural practices, from speaking German to observing the ancient Germanic custom of Easter Fires. However, as more and more rural Texas Germans moved to larger cities during the 20th century, German practices became diluted, culminating with the termination of the German-language press in the early 1950s. Yet, you can still see the cultural impact today in the German names of many towns and the architecture found in a number of our older neighborhoods—from the gothic churches of the Texas Hill Country to the King William historic district of San Antonio (which was once the most affluent German neighborhood of the city). So, the next time you lift a stein in celebration of Oktoberfest, don't forget to include a bit of Texas in that toast. |
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Sandwich Chart
Brown bagging's a breeze with this handy chart to post on pantry or fridge. A Pretty Palate Color your menu with 5 a day the easy way. Sunless Shimmer Capture the glow of summer all year round with beautiful bronzers.  |
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