Frelsburg

William Frels and his brother John came over on the ship Congress in 1834, and the first settlers were Germans from around Holstein and Oldenburg; later immigrants from the Rhineland organized Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. Area farmers credit Frank Walls, Sr., with inventing the first automatic cotton distributor and cleaner for gins. The town also stood apart on secession: Colorado County voted for it 584 to 330, but Frelsburg voted against it 154 to 22. By 1884 it had about 300 people, five cotton gins and four gristmills.

What the plaque says

Frelsburg First German settlement in Colorado County. Founded in 1837 by William Frels who immigrated to Texas in 1834 and fought for Independence, 1835-1836. Proposed site of Hermann University, first institution of higher learning sponsored by Germans. Chartered by the Republic of Texas in 1844, but never established.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Texas Wendish Heritage Museum — 31 mi
  A museum at Serbin of the Wends, a Slavic people from Lusatia whose congregation of nearly 600 crossed on the Ben Nevis in 1854, losing seventy-three to cholera on the way.

More markers nearby

• Site of Town of New Ulm — 3.8 mi
• Josef Lidumil Leshikar — 4.3 mi
• Charles Fordtran — 7.2 mi
• Education in Industry — 7.2 mi