Hochheim, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hochheim, Texas
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Entering Hochheim
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 Hochheim, Texas
Location in Texas
Hochheim, Texas
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | DeWitt |
| Elevation | 354 ft (108 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
Hochheim (say "HOH-hyme") is a small place in DeWitt County, Texas, United States. It's called an "unincorporated community," which means it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. Hochheim was started by German families who came to America and settled near the Guadalupe River.
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Where is Hochheim?
Hochheim is located in Texas, about 354 feet (108 meters) above sea level. It sits on a flat area called the Texas Coastal Plain. You can find it by its coordinates: 29°18′45″N 97°17′30″W / 29.3124676°N 97.2916555°W.
Hochheim's Early Days
First Explorers and the River
The Guadalupe River flows right through Hochheim. Long ago, Spanish explorers used this spot to cross the river. One of the first Europeans to see the river here was Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca, around the year 1528. He named it "The River of Nuts" because of the many pecan trees growing naturally along its banks.
Founding the Community
In 1848, a German immigrant named Valentine Hoch came to this area. He had traveled all the way from a region called Alsace-Lorraine to America. When he arrived at the rolling hills near the Guadalupe River, he said, "Here we shall build our home."
Valentine Hoch and his son started building their house using stones from the riverbed. It took several years to complete. Soon, other families like the Crawfords, Helms, and Schwabs also moved to the area. They built homes and started businesses, and that's how the community of Hochheim began.
The name "Hochheim" can mean "Hoch's home" after Valentine Hoch. It can also mean "High home" because his house was built on a hill. Some people in the town also called it "Dutchtown."
Growing as a Trade Stop
After the Schwab family opened a general store and a cotton gin, Hochheim became an important stop for trade. It was located on a route between Indianola, Texas, a port city, and Austin, the state capital. A railroad was even built through the town, connecting these two cities.
By 1870, Hochheim had grown quite a bit. It had two grocery stores, a drugstore, and a blacksmith shop. A post office was also set up that year.
Community Life and Churches
Between 1870 and 1880, a Masonic Lodge was built. This building was very important to the community. It served as a school for children, a church for worship, and a community center for gatherings.
Churches were also a big part of Hochheim's history. The German Methodist Church was in town as early as 1864. A Presbyterian church moved to Hochheim in 1882 and stayed there until 1961.
Population Changes
By 1885, about 200 people lived in Hochheim, and there were ten businesses operating. The town's population reached its highest point in 1904, with 261 residents. However, the population slowly decreased over time. By the 1920s and 1950s, it was around 100 people. By the 1980s, only about 70 people lived in Hochheim, and just one business remained.
Valentine Hoch's Home Today
Valentine Hoch's original home was damaged during a storm in 1934. But in 1953, it was carefully restored to look like it did when it was first built. The Texas Historical Commission has recognized this historic home with a special Texas Medallion.
