Fritz Paul and Emma Schroeder House
Independence, Washington County, Texas
Marker Inscription
SCHROEDER HOUSE Built in 1914, the Fritz Paul and Emma Schroeder house is a 1-1/2-story dwelling, an example of 20th century vernacular architecture. The building was designed and constructed with locally obtained materials by Fritz, who purchased the 100-acre farm from his stepfather, August Scheffer. The farm is nine miles north of Brenham in the rural community of Sandy Hill, which at the time of the home’s construction was exclusively German immigrants. The Schroeder house is an example of the relationship between the occupants, builder, and traditions of the traditionally German farming community. RECORDED TEXAS HISTORIC LANDMARK – 2014
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Fritz Paul Schroeder built this one-and-a-half-story farmhouse in 1914 on land he bought from his stepfather, using locally sourced materials and the vernacular building traditions of his community. It stood in Sandy Hill, a rural settlement north of Brenham that at the time was made up entirely of German immigrants. The home reflects the close bond between builder, family, and the traditions of a German-Texan farming world.
Why it matters
The Schroeder house preserves the everyday craftsmanship and culture of the German immigrants who shaped rural central Texas.
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Related people
- · Fritz Paul Schroeder
- · Emma Schroeder
- · August Scheffer
Themes & tags
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