Many Germans settled in Victoria, joining an array of Mexicans, Americans, Jews, Italians, and Bohemians in the diverse gateway community. Businessman George Herman Hauschild, a German immigrant, opened an opera house in Victoria in 1894, putting on Vaudeville shows, plays, and silent movies. A music store occupied the lower floor of the opera house. Today, the building has been restored and serves as an event venue.

The home of another prominent family is that of Friedrich and Margaretha Hiller. After arriving in Texas from Württemberg, Germany, around 1851, the Hillers helped found a Lutheran church in town later that year and began buying up land in 1855. Their home at 500 N. Vine St., now used as the headquarters for Keep Victoria Beautiful, is the oldest extant structure in town.

Watch our German Texan Culture video to learn more about German Texan cultural heritage in Texas. This video was produced for inclusion in our German Texans mobile tour found in our Texas Time Travel Tours mobile app. Download the app for more videos and travel information: