ARNECKEVILLE, TEXAS

DeWitt County, Central Texas South

28° 59' 33" N, 97° 16' 20" W 28.9925, -97.272222
Farm Road 236
8 Miles S of Cuero the county seat
41 Miles SE of Gonzales
38 Miles NW of Victoria
Population: 50 (2000, 1990)

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Zion Lutheran Church in Arneckeville
Photo Courtesy Barclay Gibson, December 2006

History in a Pecan Shell

Settled around 1859, the town was named with the opening of the post office in 1872. The namesake was Adam Arnecke who donated land for the first school. Arnecke also served as the town’s storekeeper and first postmaster.

Adam’s son become Dr. C. A. H. Arnecke, who opened a pharmacy and opened a hospital.

By the mid 1880s Arneckeville sat on the stage line between Goliad and Cuero.

In the mid 1890s the town reported 250 residents but declined to a mere 75 in the mid- 1920s. In the late 1940s the population leveled at around 100. The post office closed its doors in the 1950s and the local schools consolidated.

By the late 1960s, the population returned to 75 and it declined to 50 in the 1980s.

Arneckeville Tx Zion Lutheran Church sanctuary

Zion Lutheran Church sanctuary
Photo Courtesy Barclay Gibson, December 2006
More Texas Churches

DeWitt County Drive

Cuero and DeWitt County :

From Cuero - Head south on Hwy 77 (Esplanade) and cross the railroad tracks. You will see a sign for Arneckeville. Follow the arrow and watch for the signs on your right. There will be two of them.

After leaving the Cuero city limits you'll notice a few miles of feathery trees on your right and down. These are Cypress trees along the banks of the Guadalupe River.

After you've gone about seven miles from town, start looking for a sign on your right for Zion Church Road. The sign is next to a cattle guard, the first of three that you will cross to reach the cemetery and church. This Lutheran Church and its cemetery has been the anchor of this German settlement since 1868. If it looks familiar, you may have seen it in statewide publications. It is a favorite of photographers. more

DeWitt County 1920s map showing Arneckeville
From Texas state map #10749
Courtesy Texas General Land Office

Take a road trip

Arneckeville, Texas Nearby Towns:
Cuero the county seat
Arneckeville
Yoakum
Hocheim
Gonzales
Victoria
See DeWitt County | Central Texas South

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Gonzales Hotels | Victoria Hotels | More Hotels

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