Historical Marker
The Rev. Jacob Scherer
Columbus, Colorado County · Texas
Erected 1973
The college Scherer helped found was said to be the first Lutheran college in Texas. He started it in 1857 with his sons John Jacob and Gideon; John Jacob was its president and taught ancient languages. A majority of its nine trustees had to belong to the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and enrollment reached as high as 300. In 1868 there were talks about selling the three-story building to the First Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Texas, but in 1871 the Odd Fellows lodge bought the school instead. Colorado College was last reported in operation in 1886.
What the plaque says
The Rev. Jacob Scherer (February 7, 1785 - March 2, 1860) Born in North Carolina. Moved to Texas in 1851. As pastor here, is said to have founded the first English-speaking Lutheran Church in Texas; a founder (1857) of Colorado College, first public school in Columbus and one of first in Texas; he and 3 sons made brick and built the college. (1973)
Where it stands
29.70503, -96.55937 · Directions