New Sweden, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
New Sweden
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The New Sweden Lutheran Cemetery in New Sweden, Texas.
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 New Sweden
Location in Texas
New Sweden
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Travis |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
New Sweden is a small, quiet community in northeastern Travis County, Texas, United States. It is not a city with its own government. This area is part of the larger Greater Austin metropolitan area.
Contents
History of New Sweden
New Sweden was first settled in 1873. Back then, it was known as Knight's Ranch. The name changed to New Sweden in 1876. This happened after the New Sweden Lutheran Church was built there. Sometimes, the name was even spelled "New Sweeden."
Early Growth and Changes
In 1882, a machine called a cotton gin started working in New Sweden. A cotton gin helps separate cotton fibers from their seeds. A post office opened in 1887. By the mid-1890s, about 42 people lived in the community. There were also two general stores. The population grew to 104 people by 1900.
The post office closed in 1902. After that, mail for New Sweden went to the nearby town of Manor. By the early 1930s, the number of people living there dropped to 25. However, by the end of that decade, the population grew back to 60. It stayed around 60 people until 1990.
Swedish Roots
Most of the first settlers in New Sweden came from a part of Sweden called Småland. The New Sweden Lutheran Church is still an important landmark. It has a tall steeple and uses a Manor mailing address. In 2009, the community's population was estimated to be 60 people.
Geography of New Sweden
New Sweden is located in northeastern Travis County, Texas. You can find it on Farm to Market Road 973. It is about five miles northeast of the town of Manor.
Education in New Sweden
New Sweden used to have its own local school district. In the early 1940s, this school district joined with other communities. They formed the Manda school district.
Today, students in New Sweden attend schools in the Manor Independent School District. The schools that serve the community are Shadowglen Elementary School, Manor Middle School, and Manor High School.
Gallery
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A gravestone written in Swedish at the Lutheran cemetery in New Sweden, Texas.
