Old Glory
Old Glory, Stonewall County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Stonewall County was created in 1876 by the State Legislature, but the area was only sparsely settled by cattle ranchers before the turn of the century. About 1900 a number of German families who had been living in southeast Texas relocated to this vicinity and settled along the Double Mountain Fork of the Brazos River. They bought land and started farming, often living in half-dugout structures until lumber could be brought in to build horses and barns. In 1903 G. R. Spielhagen laid out a townsite (2 mi. SE) and named it Brandenburg after a town in Germany. When the railroad was built through the area in 1908-09, bypassing the small community, the town relocated to this site along the rail line and became known as New Brandenburg. The community grew rapidly and soon boasted a post office, school, cotton gin, stores, and homes. At the outbreak of World War I, the citizens petitioned the U.S. Postal Service to change the name of the town to demonstrate their patriotism and pride in their adopted country. On August 9, 1918, the name was officially changed to Old Glory. Although the town has declined, many descendants of pioneer settlers continue to reside in the area. (1990)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Around 1900, German families from southeast Texas resettled along the Double Mountain Fork of the Brazos, farming from half-dugouts until lumber could be hauled in. In 1903 G. R. Spielhagen platted a town he named Brandenburg after the old country, and when the railroad bypassed it in 1908–09 the community picked up and moved to the tracks as New Brandenburg. When the United States entered World War I, residents renamed their town Old Glory in 1918 to prove the patriotism of their adopted homeland.
Why it matters
The town's wartime name change embodies the pressure immigrant communities felt to publicly affirm their American loyalty during World War I, when German heritage suddenly drew suspicion.
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Related people
- · G. R. Spielhagen
Related events
- · World War I
Themes & tags
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