Dubina

Dubina, the first Czech settlement in Texas, is five miles east of Schulenburg in southern Fayette County. In November 1856 a group of Czech settlers found shelter from a strong north wind and hail under a grove of large oak trees in what is now Dubina. Among the group were Frank Marak, Joseph Kahlich, Ignac Sramek, Joseph Peter, Valentine Holub, Ignac Muzny, Valentine Haidušek, and Frank Kossa. The next day the settlers built a shelter and, as the months progressed, planted crops; they made a total of one bale of cotton the first year, but through perseverance and hard work, the community prospered.

When the Civil War broke out, many were unwilling to fight for a cause they didn't believe in, but most were drafted, among them Augustine Haidušek, who learned English during the war and became the first lawyer of Czech descent in the United States. He was also county judge of Fayette County, mayor of La Grange, state legislator, and publisher of a Czech-language newspaper called Svoboda (freedom). After the war members of the community built a gin, general store, saloon, meat market, blacksmith shop, hotel, mill, zoo, telegraph office, and post office, the last of which operated from 1885 to 1910. Most of the town's property was owned by Joseph Peter, who was elected state representative from Fayette and Lee counties.

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Ed Janecka | © TSHA

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Adapted from the official Handbook of Texas, a state encyclopedia developed by Texas State Historical Association (TSHA). It is an authoritative source of trusted historical records.

Belongs to

Dubina is part of or belongs to the following places:

Currently Exists

Yes

Place type

Dubina is classified as a Town

Associated Names

  • (Navidad 2)

Location

Latitude: 29.72884340
Longitude: -96.83303480

Has Post Office

No

Is Incorporated

No

Population Count, 2009

272