Institute of Texan Cultures' Texans Series
In 1852, sixteen Czech families landed at Galveston. They were the first group of Czechs to arrive in Texas, although there were already a few Czech people in the state.
Most of the early Czech settlers were farmers and settled in central Texas. Many believed that having a farm was the best and most creative way of life. Farming for them was more than just making a living.
The Czechs looked for good land for their farms. A story says that when they saw some good land, they turned off the road. They kept going until their ox carts got stuck in deep mud. This thick, black soil that stopped their carts would be good for growing crops so that’s where they settled.
Today, Czech Texans live all over the state. Many of them live and work in cities, but their grandfathers were probably farmers.
Handbook of Texas
- CzechsThis page details how the Czechs came to the Texas and what influences they had in Texas.
Selected Histories
Krasna Amerika: A Study of Texas Czechs, 1851-1939 by Call Number: F395 .B67 C94 1991 (ITC Library)
Organizations
- Czech Educational Foundation of TexasSince 1954 the Czech Educational Foundation of Texas (CEFT) has been promoting the study of Czech language and culture in Texas institutions of higher learning through a variety of funded programs.
- Czech Heritage Society of TexasThe mission of the Czech Heritage Society is to preserve and promote the genealogy, history, heritage, culture and language of the Czechs and Czech Moravians of Texas. The society holds three public meetings annually which include an annual genealogy conference and a Czech-Slovak Queen Contest.
- Texas Czech Genealogical SocietyThis society is dedicated is preserving Czech heritage and help descendants of Czech heritage with genealogy.
Museums/Festivals
- History of West (TX) MuseumThis museum showcases the history of the small town of West, Texas. Largely influential to West was its large Czech population.
- Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural CenterLocated in La Grange, the Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center preserves and promotes the history, language, culture, and heritage of Czech Texans who trace their ancestry to the present-day Czech Republic or the former Austro-Hungarian Empire (including Bohemia, Moravia, Silesia, and Slovakia).
- Czech Heritage FestivalThis celebration held in Victoria honors Czech heritage food, music, and arts.
- Czech Kolache‑Klobase FestivalCelebrated in East Bernard, this event held in June honors Czech culture.
- WestfestHeld in West, Texas, Westfest is an annual event held every Labor Day Weekend that salutes the area’s Czech heritage.this festival featuring constant live music and entertainment, authentic food & beverages, and non stop family-oriented activities.