Gone to Texas - Pioneer Day 2007 in Williamson County, Texas

Gone to Texas - Pioneer Day
May 12, 2007

Native groups first arrived in Texas more than 10,000 years ago. Europeans starting coming to the area in the 1500s, and Texas shifted from Spanish to Mexican rule.

Image courtesy of
"Star of the Republic Museum"

In the early 1800s, Anglo-American immigrants, mainly descendants of Europeans, moved into Texas. Many people moved to Texas because the land was inexpensive. In addition, many immigrants to Texas believed that the United States would buy Texas from Mexico.

A large number of immigrants from many European countries moved to Texas in the 1800s. Jewish immigrants came to Texas in the early days of colonization. In the 1840s, many Czechs came to escape political unrest. Polish families moved to Texas in the 1850s; and by the 1860s, the Germans were one of the largest European groups to settle in Texas. In addition to these groups, people from Ireland, England, France, and Norway also immigrated to Texas.

Williamson County in the late 1800s and early 1900s became more ethnically diverse than before. By 1890, a large number of Scandinavians, Germans, Czechs, Wends, and Austrians moved to the county. The immigrants added their cultural customs and architectural styles to the county’s life and also introduced new religions. Mexican immigration reached a high point in 1910, which is also when many Europeans stopped coming to the area. By 1930, Williamson County had a culturally diverse population of over 44,000 people.

Some of the events enjoyed
by the kids

There where Storytellers, including James B. Oliver,
Texas Confederate Army soldier
They learned how to grind corn
They washed clothes with a washboard and lye soap
They played old-time games
They made their own rag dolls and balls
They attended a one-room school
They watched and learned how to carve
They saw how to cook on an open fire
They churned butter and tasted it
They learned and watched other activities, too!