Step into an authentic farm of the early 1900s at the Sauer-Beckmann Farmstead. Period-dressed interpreters carry out typical daily chores of an early German-Texan farm family, raising chickens, cows, horses, hogs and sheep. A large vegetable garden grows food for a daily meal, prepared on a wood-burning stove or preserved and stored for later use. Other chores range from blacksmithing and butchering to house cleaning and soap making. Johann and Christine Sauer built the homestead’s original timber and rock cabin in 1869. The Beckmann family purchased the farm in 1900 and, with the proceeds of a good cotton crop in 1915, added a barn and Victorian home. The original smokehouse, windmill and water tank complete the living history farmstead. The park is part of the Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site.

Watch our German Settlement of Texas 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: