Danevang Community Hall (Danevang Forsamlingshus)

Historical marker location:
CR 426, just east of its intersection with SH 71, Danevang, Texas
( CR 426, just east of its intersection with SH 71)
Marker installed: 2002
Marker size: 27" x 42"

Danevang Community Hall (Danevang Forsamlingshus)

The Danish community of Danevang (Danish Field) was founded in 1894, at the height of Danish emigration to the United States. The Dansk Folkesamfund (Danish Folk Society), organized in the Midwest in 1887 to preserve Danish culture, language and religion, arranged for land for a settlement here and contacted Danes living in the northern and midwestern United States to establish a colony in Texas.

After the first colonists arrived, the society helped fund a building the community could use as a gathering place. Completed in 1895, the Danevang Community Hall (Forsamlingshus) later was donated by the society to the community, along with 45 acres of land. Until the first church building was constructed about 1908, the community hall served as both church and assembly space, and provided living quarters for the Danish Lutheran pastor on the second floor. The Danevang School, also dating to 1895, held its first classes in the building.

Over the years, additions and modifications were made to the Danevang Community Hall to accommodate the needs of the colonists. All major secular and sacred festivals were celebrated here, and the building became a cultural landmark for the community. Torn from its foundation in a 1945 hurricane, the Forsamlingshus was repaired and continues to serve the community, which remained largely Danish American at the turn of the 21st century.

(2002)

As one of the most visible programs of the Texas Historical Commission (THC), historical markers commemorate diverse topics in Texas history, including: the history and architecture of houses, commercial and public buildings, religious congregations, and military sites; events that changed the course of local and state history; and individuals who have made lasting contributions to the state, community organizations, and businesses.

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In the late 19th century, Texas became known for its cattle drives, in which cowboys would move herds of cattle from Texas to railheads in Kansas and other northern states. The cattle drives were dangerous and difficult work, but they played a key role in the development of the American cattle industry.
Wharton County, Texas, is located in the southeastern part of the state. The area that is now known as Wharton County was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Karankawa and the Apache. In the early 1820s, Anglo-American settlers began to arrive in the region, attracted by the fertile soil and abundant wildlife.

In 1846, the Texas legislature established Wharton County, named after brothers William Harris Wharton and John Austin Wharton, who were prominent figures in the Texas Revolution. The county was officially organized in 1848, with the town of Wharton selected as the county seat. The growth of the county was fueled by the development of the railroads, which provided transportation for agricultural products such as cotton, corn, and cattle.

During the Civil War, Wharton County was heavily affected by the conflict. Many of the county's residents supported the Confederacy, with several military units being raised in the area. However, the county also had a significant number of Union sympathizers, leading to tensions and conflicts within the community. After the war, the county gradually recovered and experienced economic growth, with new industries such as oil and gas exploration contributing to its prosperity.

Today, Wharton County is a diverse community with a strong agricultural base. The county is known for its rice and cattle production, as well as its oil and gas industries. It is also home to several historical sites, including the Wharton County Courthouse, which was built in 1889 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. With its rich history and thriving economy, Wharton County continues to be an important part of Texas's cultural and economic landscape.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Wharton County, Texas.

  • 1846: Wharton County is established by the Texas legislature
  • 1848: The first settlements are established in the county
  • 1849: The town of Wharton is founded and becomes the county seat
  • 1850: The population of the county is 1,075
  • 1861-1865: Wharton County residents participate in the American Civil War
  • 1881: The Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway reaches Wharton County
  • 1900: The Galveston hurricane devastates the county, causing widespread destruction
  • 1930: The county's population reaches its peak at 39,195
  • 1965: The construction of the Wharton County Junior College is completed
  • 1985: The county courthouse is added to the National Register of Historic Places