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History in
a Pecan Shell
A Czech-German community that dates from the mid-1800s, the town (pronounced
Lay chem) was originally one of five "Latin Colonies" founded by German
political refugees. Czech immigrants began arriving after the Civil
War, and a mission was set up here by the Reverend Josef Chromcik
in the mid 1870s.
The town received a post office in the mid 1880s, although it closed
in 1907. The population has never been large due to its proximity
to Brenham. In 1892
there were only 50 people listed. As the German population moved to
larger German-speaking communities, Czechs moved in - eventually outnumbering
the original Germans.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church was built by its Czech congregation in
1918 and a school served the community from 1885 until the school
consolidations of the late 1940s.
The region around Latium has shifted from agriculture to cattle raising
in recent years but for much of the 20th Century it was a supply center
for farms between Brenham,
Round Top and Burton.
Latium retains a community center, a general store, a VFD and a Catholic
church. |
Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and vintage/historic photos, please contact
us. |
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