Site of Old Normandy

Reiersen's first Texas colony was smaller than he hoped. After annexation he bought 1,476 acres in Henderson County for what the Handbook of Texas calls the first real Norwegian colony in Texas, and in 1846 his brothers Christian and George brought about fifty more settlers. Other Norwegians he had expected chose Missouri instead, and the colony stayed small. Called Normandy at first, it apparently merged with nearby Brownsboro after 1848 and took that town's name. A Lutheran church and cemetery were established at Normandy in 1853.

What the plaque says

Site of Old Normandy First Norwegian colony in Texas. Founded in 1845 by Johan Reinert Reierson (1810-1864) and Ole Reierson, of Holt, Norway. In "Christianssandsposten," J.R. Reierson urged Norwegians to find "a rich life" by migrating to Texas. His associate editor, Elise Tvede (1815-1895), also came to Texas and continued writing for publications in Norway. She married Wilhelm Warenskjold, lived in this area, and opened home to Norwegian newcomers. (1970)

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center — 11 mi
  A Texas Parks and Wildlife hatchery and visitor center in Athens where visitors can borrow tackle and fish a stocked pond, watch native species in gallery tanks and ride a tram around the hatchery.
• Tyler Rose Garden and Rose Museum — 17 mi
  More than 38,000 rose bushes of about 600 cultivars in a free city garden, beside a museum of the Texas Rose Festival, which began in 1933, and of the rose industry.
• Goodman-LeGrand House and Museum — 19 mi
  A Tyler house begun in 1859 as four rooms, enlarged by the Goodman family over 73 years, and left to the city in 1939 with its furnishings, in a garden that fills a city block.
• Camp Ford Historic Park — 21 mi
  A free county park north of Tyler on the site of the largest Confederate prison camp west of the Mississippi, with a kiosk, an interpretive trail and a historical society museum downtown.

More markers nearby

• Brownsboro Norwegian Lutheran Cemetery — steps away
• Old Rock Hill Cemetery — 3.7 mi
• Edom — 4.8 mi
• John Crane — 7.3 mi