European Immigration to Texas from the German Perspective

Texas fascinated the Europeans as a splendid opportunity for settling on the frontier and starting a new life. This captivating map records the German, French and Irish colonies in Texas.

Germans were particularly intrigued with central Texas, and the opportunity to escape their nearly feudal life under the local noblemen. This is one of only a handful of maps to record the German Colony in the Hill Country – Deutsche Colonie des Mainzer Verein or German Emigration Company, founded by German Nobelmen in 1842 to establish a New Germany on Texas soil. The company purchased land near Round Top, Comal Springs and over 3,500,000 acres on the Colorado River in direct negotiations with Sam Houston. The large German colony which included Frederickburg is highlighted in yellow.

The relatively smaller French colony of Castroville is highlighted in green. The empresario Henry Castro, consul general for Texas at Paris appointed by Sam Houston, entered into a contract with the Texas government in 1842 to settle a colony in Southwest Texas on the Medina River. After great expense and labor lasting several years he succeeded in chartering twenty-seven ships, in which he brought over 400 families and single men to Texas from Alsace and surrounding areas. The Little Alsace of Texas or Castroville was founded in 1844.

A very rare feature is the inclusion of an Irish Colony marked in South Texas. The McMullen-McGloin Colony was formed in 1828 from a relinquished empresario grant. Mc Mullen and McGloin were contracted to settle 200 families on the left bank of the Nueces River above the coastal reserve. They targeted Irish immigrants who had recently arrived and not yet settled in New York. The early Irish colonists who travelled to Texas established a town which they called San Patricio de Hibernia, or St. Patrick of Ireland, for the patron saint of their homeland. The colonists of the once thriving Texas settlement faced many hardships including capture by Santa Anna’s forces during the Texas revolution. Some made their way home to the Republic of Texas after Independence was declared. There is a monument to this forgotten colony in San Patricio, Texas where some descendants of the original colonists still live today.

The full extent of the Republic of Texas as established by treaty after the defeat of the dictator Santa Anna is shown on this fine map. Taos and Santa Fe are part of Texas as well as the Spanish Peaks in present Day Colorado. Details for settlers to Texas are included such as scores of early towns and settlements, especially along the more densely populated southeast area. Native American tribes are listed throughout Texas as well as across the United States, Canada and surrounding areas. There are many notations for prospective travelers on this detailed map such as railroads and canals, particularly in the more heavily populated and established eastern half of the United States. Topographic features are marked across North America which includes a highly detailed Mexico as well as portions of Canada. This map is a detailed portrait of a rapidly expanding North America in the 1840s as well as a window to a new land for European settlers seeking freedom, opportunity, adventure and a fresh start away from the old country.