The Five-Mile (Ratcliffe)- Rabke Community
Cuero, DeWitt County, Texas
Marker Inscription
When four well-educated German families settled on Five Mile Creek in 1849, the community was called Latiner for their knowledge of Latin. Capt. Robert Kleberg (1803-88), Battle of San Jacinto veteran, was one early resident. In the 1880s, the German settlement of Rabke grew up nearby. Edward Rabke's store housed the post office, 1898-1905, and Woodmen of the World Lodge. Local children attended Five Mile School, which moved to the Ratcliffe farm in 1921. Except for Rabke Methodist Church, the early community landmarks have disappeared.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
When four well-educated German families settled along Five Mile Creek in 1849, neighbors dubbed the place "Latiner" for the settlers' command of Latin; San Jacinto veteran Capt. Robert Kleberg was among the early residents. In the 1880s the German settlement of Rabke grew up nearby, with Edward Rabke's store housing the post office and a Woodmen of the World lodge, while local children attended the Five Mile School. Today only Rabke Methodist Church survives of the community's early landmarks.
Why it matters
The community is a small but vivid record of the German immigration that reshaped the culture and countryside of Central and South Texas.
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Related people
- · Robert Kleberg
- · Edward Rabke
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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