Pytlovany, Simon, House
1.5 mi. S of Dubina on FR 1383, Dubina, TXThe Simon Pytlovany House is of historical significance for its unusual viewpoint of technology, ingenuity, and cultural assimilation.
In 1896, Simon Pytlovany along with his wife, two children, and father, immigrated to central Texas from Ukraine in Eastern Europe, via Galveston, Texas. When the Pytlovany family arrived in Galveston, they left for Schulenburg by way of the Southern Pacific railroad; staying in Schulenburg for a few months before moving to Ammansville, and shortly thereafter to Dubina. In Dubina, Pytlovany was a sharecropper until 1904, when he bought his own land approximately 1 mile south of town. Here he built his home in 1909. The structural timbers for the house were salvaged from the destruction of the church in Dubina caused by a tropical hurricane that struck the same year.
The Pytlovany House closely follows the pattern of the common peasant's hut, or "izba", of Ukraine in eastern Europe. A traditional system of space allocation outlined the various activity areas in the "izba". Domestic situations were assigned to the cooking corner containing the massive oven or "pech". This area would be used for sleeping in winter. During the warmer times, the family slept in the loft. Socializing took place in the icon corner which was diagonal across from the "pech".
The typical Ukrainian dwelling was built predominately of wood in the timbered regions, and from the eighteenth century on, sun-baked brick and clay mixed with straw were common building materials in the less wooded regions. The typical "izba" was rectangular in plan with the front door situated in the middle of one of the long sides, opening into a corridor spanning the width of the structure. A ladder at one end of the corridor gave access to the loft. To one side of the corridor was a door leading into the kitchen and on the other side a door leading into the workroom or storeroom. The usual roof was a simple gable roof of thatch construction, replaced by split shingles in more wooded regions. The exterior of the house was usually whitewashed, often in pastel colors. Although highly irregular in the United States, this style of the house was frequently built by Ukrainian immigrants in the area of Manitoba, Canada.
Louis Novak, the grandson of Simon Pytlovany, maintains a farm on the land where the house stands today; however, the house has not been lived in since 1959. It never had plumbing, a telephone, or electricity. A spring nearby is locally famous for never running dry, even during droughts when others in the county did, and was certainly a reason for Pytlovany's choice of sight. He had a molasses mill along the edge of the stream where its foundation remains today.
While other immigrants in the Czech-German community of Dubina and the surrounding central Texas area were building houses modified by the in- fluences of the new environment, Simon Pytlovany built a house like those he had known in Ukraine.
Local significance of the building:
In 1896, Simon Pytlovany along with his wife, two children, and father, immigrated to central Texas from Ukraine in Eastern Europe, via Galveston, Texas. When the Pytlovany family arrived in Galveston, they left for Schulenburg by way of the Southern Pacific railroad; staying in Schulenburg for a few months before moving to Ammansville, and shortly thereafter to Dubina. In Dubina, Pytlovany was a sharecropper until 1904, when he bought his own land approximately 1 mile south of town. Here he built his home in 1909. The structural timbers for the house were salvaged from the destruction of the church in Dubina caused by a tropical hurricane that struck the same year.
The Pytlovany House closely follows the pattern of the common peasant's hut, or "izba", of Ukraine in eastern Europe. A traditional system of space allocation outlined the various activity areas in the "izba". Domestic situations were assigned to the cooking corner containing the massive oven or "pech". This area would be used for sleeping in winter. During the warmer times, the family slept in the loft. Socializing took place in the icon corner which was diagonal across from the "pech".
The typical Ukrainian dwelling was built predominately of wood in the timbered regions, and from the eighteenth century on, sun-baked brick and clay mixed with straw were common building materials in the less wooded regions. The typical "izba" was rectangular in plan with the front door situated in the middle of one of the long sides, opening into a corridor spanning the width of the structure. A ladder at one end of the corridor gave access to the loft. To one side of the corridor was a door leading into the kitchen and on the other side a door leading into the workroom or storeroom. The usual roof was a simple gable roof of thatch construction, replaced by split shingles in more wooded regions. The exterior of the house was usually whitewashed, often in pastel colors. Although highly irregular in the United States, this style of the house was frequently built by Ukrainian immigrants in the area of Manitoba, Canada.
Louis Novak, the grandson of Simon Pytlovany, maintains a farm on the land where the house stands today; however, the house has not been lived in since 1959. It never had plumbing, a telephone, or electricity. A spring nearby is locally famous for never running dry, even during droughts when others in the county did, and was certainly a reason for Pytlovany's choice of sight. He had a molasses mill along the edge of the stream where its foundation remains today.
While other immigrants in the Czech-German community of Dubina and the surrounding central Texas area were building houses modified by the in- fluences of the new environment, Simon Pytlovany built a house like those he had known in Ukraine.
Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
Texas has been a major oil-producing state for over a century. The first big oil discovery in Texas was the Spindletop field near Beaumont in 1901, which set off a massive oil boom that transformed the state's economy and made Texas one of the wealthiest states in the country.
About Fayette County
Fayette County Timeline
Fayette County, Texas, located in the southeastern part of the state, has a rich and diverse history. The area was first settled by indigenous Native American tribes, such as the Lipan Apache and Karankawa, who thrived off the bountiful natural resources of the region. European exploration and colonization began in the late 17th century when Spanish explorers arrived, followed by French adventurers and American frontiersmen.
The establishment of Anglo-American settlements in Fayette County started in the 1820s under Stephen F. Austin's colony. The town of La Grange, which would become the county seat, was founded in 1826 and named after the ancestral home of General Lafayette. Over the next few decades, more pioneers arrived, attracted by the fertile soil and opportunities for farming and ranching. German immigrants, in particular, played a significant role in the county's development, establishing thriving communities and introducing their agricultural practices.
During the mid-19th century, Fayette County became embroiled in the turmoil of the Texas Revolution and the Civil War. The Battle of Fayetteville, fought in 1836, marked a significant event in the struggle for Texas independence. Confederate soldiers from Fayette County fought in various battles during the Civil War, including the Battle of Galveston and the Battle of Sabine Pass.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Fayette County experienced economic growth and cultural diversification. Railroads connected the county to larger markets, stimulating trade and commerce. The discovery of oil and gas reserves further bolstered the local economy. Today, Fayette County is known for its agricultural industry, with crops like cotton and corn, as well as cattle ranching. It also attracts tourists with its historical sites, including the Monument Hill and Kreische Brewery State Historic Sites, which commemorate important moments in the county's history.
The establishment of Anglo-American settlements in Fayette County started in the 1820s under Stephen F. Austin's colony. The town of La Grange, which would become the county seat, was founded in 1826 and named after the ancestral home of General Lafayette. Over the next few decades, more pioneers arrived, attracted by the fertile soil and opportunities for farming and ranching. German immigrants, in particular, played a significant role in the county's development, establishing thriving communities and introducing their agricultural practices.
During the mid-19th century, Fayette County became embroiled in the turmoil of the Texas Revolution and the Civil War. The Battle of Fayetteville, fought in 1836, marked a significant event in the struggle for Texas independence. Confederate soldiers from Fayette County fought in various battles during the Civil War, including the Battle of Galveston and the Battle of Sabine Pass.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Fayette County experienced economic growth and cultural diversification. Railroads connected the county to larger markets, stimulating trade and commerce. The discovery of oil and gas reserves further bolstered the local economy. Today, Fayette County is known for its agricultural industry, with crops like cotton and corn, as well as cattle ranching. It also attracts tourists with its historical sites, including the Monument Hill and Kreische Brewery State Historic Sites, which commemorate important moments in the county's history.
Fayette County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Fayette County, Texas.
- 1837 – Fayette County is established as one of the original counties of the Republic of Texas.
- 1838 – The permanent county seat is established in La Grange.
- 1861-1865 – Fayette County residents actively participate in the Civil War.
- 1873 – The railroad reaches Fayette County, spurring economic growth.
- 1901 – The first oil well is drilled in the county, leading to the discovery of the West Point Oil Field.
- 1905 – The monumental Fayette County Courthouse is built.
- 1950s-1970s – Fayette County experiences an agricultural boom due to the construction of the Fayette Power Project and Fayette Nuclear Plant.
- 1998 – Fayette County celebrates its 150th anniversary.
- 2011 – The historic town square in La Grange is added to the National Register of Historic Places.