Taste of Texas
Danish Immigrants to Texas
Denmark's Flag
Homeland and Push Factor
Push Factor
Texas and Pull Factors
Pull Factors
Culture Highlight
The Danes had a very creative culture in my perspective. An interesting tradition of the Danes was that when a new house was being built, neighbors helped with the building. After the house was built the owners held a housewarming celebration. The housewarming would happen once the family moved in. On the day that the family/owners moved in there would be a big table of buffet loaded food. The neighbors and owners would eat the food and call it a day of relaxation and pleasure. One of the major food/drink that Danes would have regularly was coffee. A Danish custom would be to eat six meals a day. Before breakfast they would have coffee. In Danevang, Texas they say if Danes got together, at least some of those people will bring a coffeepot. During Christmas it was a tradition to have at least seven different Danish cookies with coffee. Some of the famous Danish pastries were Christmas wreath coffeecakes and rolled Yule logs. The people of Danevang usually come together for every occasion in the community hall. The Danish had diverse branches of Christianity.
The Danes followed most of the same tradition that they had in Denmark. In Denmark, Christmas time would be a lot more decorative around the country unlike in Texas. In Denmark, you have to Baptize or name a child before he/she is turns one year old. Once this happens, there is usually a celebration especially if it is a first born. On January 6th it is said that the three holy kings will come, so everyone takes down their Christmas decorations. Another interesting tradition was that instead of Christmas Eve, they had a holiday called Boxing Day where they ate and ate just like Christmas Day. The Danish people have a natural tendency to eat and party in a group as part of their culture.
Breakfast
Before and during breakfast Danish people usually have coffee.
Food
Danish Kringle
Food
Danish Yule Log
Significant Individuals
There were many important Danish individuals that helped Texas. Most of the first Danish Families came to Texas were individuals. One of the first individuals was a painter Charles Zanco. Charles Zanco arrived in the Lynchburg in 1835 during the Texas Revolution. During the time, many people were preparing for war. Before a group of men left to fight against Mexico, Zanco painted a flag which was depicted as a single five pointed star with the word “Independence” beneath it.
Another individual was Captain Peter Johnson who sailed by himself to the Texas coastline. His contribution was being the first Danish pioneer to come to Texas and spurred the action of immigrants in Texas. Yet another individual was Karl Gammel. Karl was an avid reader and bought a box of books. In the year 1877, Gammel started what later became the Oldest Bookstore in Texas. He accomplished this task by buying more book crates.
First, a group of Danish Families settled in northern Lee County and created a settlement in Texas called Little Denmark. Most of the Danish people that created Little Denmark were farmers. After this more people started coming to Little Denmark.
Did You Know
- Did you know that Santa Claus originated from Denmark?
- Did you know that pop tarts could be an inspiration off of Danish Kringle?
- Did you know that there was a city in Lee County names Little Denmark?
- Did you know that Bluetooth was named for a Danish King? (Harald "Bluetooth" Gormsson)
- Did you know that Denmark mean Borderlands of the Danes?
Analysis 1
There is evidence that Danes are here today, because authentic Danish restaurants should have a Danish store owner. There are not many Danish immigrants here in Texas right now, but there were quite a few in 19th century. You know this because Census said that they were the 10th largest group in Texas.
Analysis 2
Bibliography
Davis, John L. "DANES." DAVIS, JOHN L. TSA, n.d. Web. 11 Feb. 2013. <http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/ptd01>.
"Denmark Flag." World Book Advanced. World Book, 2013. Web. 11 Feb. 2013.
"Gone To Texas - Immigration of Cultures." Www.texancultures.edu. Institute of Texan Cultures, 1 Feb. 2003. Web. Fall 2012.
Plocheck, Robert. "Texas Almanac." Scandinavian Texans. Texas Alamanac, 10 Sept. 2003. Web. 11 Feb. 2013. <http://www.texasalmanac.com/topics/culture/scandinavian-texans>.
Ramos, Connor. "Research In The Lonestar State." LoneStar Genealogy, Comprehensive Texas History & Genealogy Web Site. LoneStar Genealogy, 2 Feb. 2008. Web. 11 Feb. 2013. <http://www.lonestargenealogy.com/courses/texas/migration.html>.
Simmonds, Tiffany. "El Campo Chamber of Commerce." El Campo Chamber of Commerce. El Campo, n.d. Web. 11 Feb. 2013. <http://www.elcampochamber.com/data.asp?ID=6>.
Wolf, Kirsten. "Denmark." World Book Advanced. World Book, 2013. Web. 11 Feb. 2013.
Information
Period: 4
Class: Texas History
Culture group: Danish