Frelsburg, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Frelsburg, Texas
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 Frelsburg, Texas
Location in Texas
Frelsburg, Texas
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Colorado |
| Elevation | 302 ft (92 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
78950
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| Area code(s) | 979 |
Frelsburg is a small community in Colorado County, Texas, United States. It is an unincorporated community, which means it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. In 2000, about 75 people lived in Frelsburg.
History of Frelsburg
Frelsburg was founded around 1837 by Captain William Frels and his brother John. They came to Texas from Germany in 1834. After Texas became independent, Captain Frels, who fought in the Texas Revolution, gave land for the community. This land included space for a town, a church, a parsonage (a home for a minister), and a cemetery.
The first settlers in Frelsburg were Germans from areas like Oldenburg and Holstein. By 1847, the community had grown enough to need its own post office. Around the same time, new immigrants from Rhineland helped establish the Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church.
Life in Frelsburg mixed German traditions with the challenges of the Texas frontier. The economy was based on small farms, much like those in Germany. By 1852, Frelsburg had a cotton gin (a machine that separates cotton fibers), several stores, and skilled workers like harness makers and blacksmiths.
After the American Civil War, Frelsburg's economy grew stronger. A lot of the land around the community was used to grow cotton. Farmers in the area even developed new ways to clean and distribute cotton.
Even though railroads later bypassed Frelsburg, the community stayed strong through the early 1900s. In 1884, Frelsburg had about 300 residents, five cotton gins, four gristmills (mills for grinding grain), three churches, and a sawmill. The post office closed in 1908. After the 1950s, many small farms switched from growing crops to raising beef cattle. From 1933 to 2000, Frelsburg's population remained around 75 people.
Frelsburg was known as a German freethinking community, which meant people there valued independent thought and reason.
Where is Frelsburg?
Frelsburg is located in the northern part of Colorado County. You can find it where Farm to Market Road 109 and Farm to Market Road 1291 meet. It is about 12 miles (19 km) north of Columbus and 10 miles (16 km) east of Fayetteville.
Education in Frelsburg
Education has always been important in Frelsburg. Captain Frels donated land for a school after Texas became independent. In 1870, Frelsburg was chosen as the location for Hermann University. However, there weren't enough people to support the university, so the building was sold to the local school district.
In 1871, Sister Louise Feltin sent sisters from her Catholic organization to open another school in Frelsburg. Today, students in the community attend schools in the Columbus Independent School District.
Images for kids
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Texas State Historical Marker at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church
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Texas State Historical Marker at Trinity Lutheran Church
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Texas State Historical Marker at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery
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Heinsohn's Country Store at FM 109 and FM 1291
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Trinity Lutheran Church in Frelsburg
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Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Frelsburg, listed on the National Register of Historic Places
