Texas history overview and key developments

German Influences on Texas Culture

If one has lived in Texas for any length of time, they will realize immediately that the Texas culture is influenced by German culture in a number of ways. Modern day Texas culture would not exist as it does today if it were not for German influence. Today Texas culture can be described as a blending of German and Texas traditions. Though German culture is not the only culture that has impacted the Texas of today, it is often considered one of the most significant influences historically.

Whether one examines the architectural landscape of the towns and cities, examines the art and music or simply talks with many of the German descendants living in Texas, one must immediately acknowledge the significant influence the German people have had on the development of Texas as known today. In early Texas history German influence was widespread, often comprising a majority of the ethnic traditions and landscape that have made Texas what it is today. Though the number of German born natives living in Texas today is much less than it was in times of old, the impact the native Germans have had on Texas culture is undeniable.

The intent of this research paper is to examine the extent to which German folklore, traditions and culture still permeate and influence Texas culture today and the extent to which German cultural influences are still felt by people living in Texas today. There is a large body of evidence that already exists examining the historical influence of German migration on Texas culture. Though this paper will explore the foundation for German immigration and the historical influence of German immigrants on Texas, its aim will be to confirm that German influence has not yet died out of Texan culture, and is still in fact a very influential aspect of German culture today. The author asserts that without German influence, Texas culture as most people recognize and love it, would not be what it is today had German immigrants not permeated the landscape and influenced the rich historiography of the land today.

German cultural influences are in fact deeply embedded in modern day Texas architecture and history, and still strongly felt among the native people living in Texas today. There are numerous personal and historical testimonies which affirm the existence of German influence in Texas. German influences have been positive and have helped create Texas culture as most people understand it today. Most people readily acknowledge their familiarity with many German traditions, including dance, folklore, customs and music. These traditions have been modified somewhat to suit Texans living in the state today, but they are nonetheless deeply German in nature. Many people have adopted the German traditions of music, dance, art and celebration into their modern day practices as a way of acknowledging their ancestry. In fact many of the celebrations that occur in Texas today are influenced by German born traditions, the most prevalent of which is the Oktoberfest celebrated in Fredericksburg every year.

The nature of these traditions and the German cultural influence on Texas today is examined in great detail below.

Overview/History

The history of German migration and influence within the state of Texas begins in the early 19th century. Settlers began migrating from Germany to Texas in the early 1800s, as the prospect of opportunity and open land became more available. In the early 1800's Texas was portrayed in Germany as an available new territory with large plots of fertile land and much wild game ... A very appealing prospect for people living in country dwellings and rural areas of Germany at the time. Many German immigrants decided to travel to the United States with the intent of improving their social and economic status, particularly due to the low cost in living (Oomen, 2004, n.p.). In the early days when this nation was still forming, it was not unreasonable for an immigrant to expect to be able to acquire a large parcel of land affordably upon migrating to the states.

Many Germans in fact began arriving in Texas during 1848 when German Revolutions plagued Europe, and a majority of these early settlers formed close communal towns within the state (Oomen, 2004, n.p.). They looked forward to the opportunity of peace and a new life filled with opportunity and promise. The reasons that German immigrants flocked to the United States are not much different from the reasons many other settlers came to this country. They were looking for a better life for themselves and their families. In the process of immigrating and settling large parcels of formerly uninhabited land, they began to develop roots and inspire traditions that have become deeply ingrained in the culture of Texas today.

As German immigration to Texas became widespread, towns and communities began to form what are now considered many of the primary cities that exist within Texas today. Most of these towns were modeled after German towns and villages.

Modern German Influence

Today the influence of German heritage on Texas culture is wide reaching and broad in nature. There are many cultural influences, architectural influences and even towns named after German influenced names, German music and other cultural traditions that are significant. It is not uncommon during festivals and celebrations such as Oktoberfest to here many Texas speaking in their native language of German, so rich is the cultural heritage that has formed the livelihood for many Texans today.

This is not to say however that German immigrants are the only immigrants that have influenced Texas culture. In modern Texas culture there is also a wide reaching Mexican influence, which has mingled with the German influence to form a truly unique heritage for many of the people living in Texas today. However the roots of Texan culture as it is recognized today are largely attributed to heavy German influences and traditions. Only in more recent times have the traditions of Germany and Texas been mingled with those of other cultures including Mexican, to form the rich hodgepodge of cultures that make up modern day Texas.

Texas Art

As is the case anywhere, Texas art is influenced by many different cultural traditions, including that of Germany. Many of the museums of Texas today cater to German influences and artists, often holding showcases of German artwork that date back to the 19th century. The influence of German Art is most evident in the architecture and landscape of Texas, though it is not uncommon to glimpse paintings and stone structures modeled after German artistic design in many of Texas' historical districts. Though Texas artistic tradition is not as heavily influenced by German art as its music tradition, it nonetheless is representative of many German artists and traditions.

The Museum of Fine Arts in Houston Texas is just one example of an art forum in Texas where the work of 19th century German artists is appreciated for its contributions and influences on Texas culture and American artists in general. German works of art are an important element of culture and tradition in Texas, particularly because more than 1/5th of the population proclaims that they have some German ancestry (MFA, 2001). The museum of fine arts much like many other artistic establishments in Texas often displays the work of historical German artists.

Despite the wide reaching influence of German artists in Texas, their achievements go often unnoticed. However there is a large body of evidence that suggests the work of many American artists particularly those living in the mid 1800s was influenced by German artists (MFA, 2001). Among the German artists most noted for influencing American include: Joseph anton Koch, Wilhelm Leibl, Fritz von Uhde, Carl Blechen, Carl Gustav Carus and Johan Christian Clausen Dahl (MFA, 2001).

Texas Architecture

Texas architecture is also deeply entrenched in German cultural foundations. In fact, no other area is German influence more evident than it is in the architecture of rural villages within Texas. Though a majority of the architecture that has German influence is older, built many years ago, there is still some sense that the style has been adopted even by modern architectural designers.

There is a large body of evidence suggesting that German culture and design traditions have influenced the structural components of Texas architecture. Particularly in the southern and central parts of the state including in regions such as Hill country and Medina County there are many vernacular dwellings and churches that are fashioned in the style of traditional German homesteads (Jordan, 2004). The style of architecture most often described as Texas German is one where the house is often less elongated and built more an a square plan with a Teutonic roof and casement windows, cellars and outside stairs (Jordan, 2004).

In addition many rural and small town churches particularly historical ones in Texas are built in a half timbered style similar to those found in historical Germany. There are many German Gothic style churches found in Texas most notably the following: St. Louis Catholic at Castroville; old St. Mary's Catholic at Fredericksburg; Westphalia Catholic in Falls County; St. Joseph's Catholic in San Antonia and St. Peter's Catholic Church in Cooke County (Jordan, 2003). Among the features of some of these churches include a convex helmet tower at St. Maries, locally made organ pipes, brick Romanesque design at St. Peters, and the largest wooden structure, St. Joseph's Catholic in San Antonio (Jordan, 2004).

Other buildings display ornate interior decoration and vernacular structures common to German architectural design, many of which include dance halls common to German churches (Jordan, 2004).

German influence is also present in many rural houses that are constructed half of timber and half of stone with wood shingling and cypress-shingling not uncommon (Jordan, 2004). There is evidence of many German built limestone and sandstone structures predominately in south central Texas as well (Jordan, 2004).

Texas Music

The influence of German culture on Texas music is irrefutable. The German population in Texas up until the early 1940s was as much as 60% of the population (Galan, 2001). Though today the number of German immigrants living in Texas is only about 10% of the population the influence is still strongly felt, particularly with regard to music. In Germany the accordion generally was considered the central instrument of music; today German Texans are influenced by the use of the accordion (Galan, 2001).

Texans are credited with influencing the large number of Tejano communities who have incorporated the use of the accordion and other German musical interludes into the dancing and music style of Texas. Today among the more popular forms of music include the polka, largely German influenced (Galan, 2001). Though the prevalence of the accordion is fading, there is no argument as to its influence in modern day music.

Perly Sowell is a descendant of a German family living in the German Belt within Texas, and claims to have played the accordion in Texas for more than 20 years (Galan, 2001). She is still working on maintaining the rich cultural traditions of her German ancestors and passing them down to her kin. Sowell remembers that there was a time in the past where it was a social thing for teenagers living in Texas to take accordion lessons, however this tradition is diminishing particularly in more modern times. This is due largely to a generation gap (Galan, 2001).

Today there are many different overlapping styles of music common within Texas, including many styles of music that are now a combination of German and Mexican influence. Tejano is the primary example, though other forms that represent German influence include the conjunto which features an accordion as well and a style of music referred to as the banda which is very similar to the German polka.

Texas Culture/Ethnicity

In Texas today one cannot escape the influence German traditions; folklore, customs and culture have on modern philosophy and ethnicity. German culture permeates and influences many aspects of modern idealisms and ethnic beliefs. It is hard not to acknowledge the presence of German culture in Texas, given that more than 1/5th of the residents currently living in Texas today claim to have German heritage.

How has the ethnicity of Texas and the culture of Texas been influenced by German settlers? There are many cities and towns in Texas today that are still reminiscent of quaint German settlements, and within these towns the culture and ethnicity, traditions and heritage of the German people is still felt very strongly.

One of the more well noted towns for its German influence in Texas is Fredericksburg, which originally a German settlement is still reminiscent of the old towns of Germany. The town is considered the master plan of early German nobleman and settlers who came to Texas in 1846 (Winter, 2004). There are many celebrations held in Texas today that also celebrate and honor the heritage of the German people that have settled in Texas. Among these are the annual October Fest and the Night in Old Fredericksburg (Winter, 2004). It is not uncommon for many of the people living in German settled communities including Fredericksburg to still speak German on a regular basis.

In towns thick with German tradition there are also many German restaurants established and bistros, featuring the cuisine and country charm that is often associated with Germany. Among the primary foods served include a sampling of many different 'wursts' and sausages, beers and finger foods common to German people of old and new.

Today the King William historic district within the town of San Antonio is one of the largest towns influenced by native German spirit and traditions. It used to be widely recognized as one of the most affluent German neighborhoods in San Antonio (Butt, 2004).

Oktoberfest is still largely considered the most German of festivals held in Texas today, with much pomp and circumstance and celebration. The festival is characterized by German music, food and beer. According to Lucas Everidge, a resident of central Texas and local writer, "if you have never visited this part of the state before (Texas Hill Country) you will be pleasantly surprised" as this part of the state is most heavily influenced by German traditions (Alvarez, 2002). Oktoberfest was a celebration that dates back to Germany, where musical bands got together and played as townsfolk gathered to talk and socialized. Among the German influenced musical themes played at this celebration include the oopmah, polka and waltz (Alvarez, 2002).

German food that is often offered during festive occasions include: Wiener schnitzels, sauerkraut, Kartoffel chips, potato pancakes, Ruebens, Bratwurst, Polish Beerwurst, Turkey legs and German tacos (Alvarez, 2002).

Texas Philosophy

Most of modern day Texans living within Texas today acknowledge the influence of German settlers. Many in fact claim that they are descended from German immigrants, a fact hard to dispute when one recognizes that the long standing traditions of celebration, dance and music are still widely accepted and cherished by most of the people living in Texas today. The language of Germany is often also still used by many modern day Texas natives.

Most natives living in Texas claim they recognize and understand the strong influence German society and culture has had on the Texas today. In fact most wonder what Texas would look like if it did not have the opportunity of enjoying much of the influence of German citizens. Festivals such as Oktoberfest are largely accepted as part of Texas tradition, even though they were originally adopted from German traditions and culture.

The philosophy and tradition of Texans living in Texas today is one of acceptance and understanding. The Texas of today is culturally influenced by many native cultures including Mexican.

Historical Literature/Historiographical Literature

The studies that have been conducted thus far on Texas history suggest that a large portion of Texas history is influenced by Germanic culture and traditions. Despite this many of these studies refer to the influence of German culture on Texas as an issue to be considered in the past rather than the present. Nonetheless, it is important to review the literature available with regard to German influence in order to understand how Texas culture is today influenced and affected.

The influence of German culture on Texas in the literature is widespread. Hardwick (2003) for example examines the heavy architectural influence of German immigrants in Texan society. His work however, does not investigate how this architectural influence has influenced Texas citizens living in modern society.

A large body of the literature that emphasizes the historical past of Texas and creation of modern day society. There is much discourse and debate over the German influence, with many historians suggesting that initially American citizens were trepidatious and distrustful of German immigrants (Sonntag, 1994). Specifically Americans feared that German influences would challenge what many Americans held to be the true American way of life.

Despite historians claims that early Americans feared German influence, there is a large body of evidence suggesting that nonetheless many German mannerisms, language 'isms' and artistic/architectural traditions have been adopted by Texans (Sonntag, 1994).

Hardwick (2003) notes that Galveston may be considered the "Ellis Island of Texas" so rich is Texan history with German immigrants and influences. She takes the view that Texas would not be Texas today were it not for Germanic influences, which largely helped create the Texas most people know today.

Other literature firmly support German influence, but examines German influence largely from the standpoint of the prevalence of German immigrants and their past imprint, which many have suggested has left only an imprint of Germany on Texas today (Oommen, 2004; Grider, 2002).

According to Jordan (1969), German influence in Texas reached its peak in the late 1800s; thereafter a process of 'acculturation' occurred where prejudice against German folkways became more common. There are however still very ethnic German sections of Texas in some cities including San Antonio (Jordan, 1969). German language schools once common declined, and during the mid 1900s the once popular German language press also declined (Jordan, 1969).