Norwegians in Texas

Modern Norwegian Heritage in Texas

By the 1920s, there was a strong shift to a Norwegian-American identity. Only recently was interest in Norwegian heritage renewed when King Olav V of Norway visited Bosque County in 1982. Even with this spurred interest “many of the original Norwegian structures in the settlement [have] been abandoned for decades, and very few of them have been restored or otherwise modified. Most of the properties included …are still owned by descendants of the 19th century settlers, who are enthusiastic about their past history." (Texas Historical Commission, item 8, pg.15)

Today, the center of Norwegian heritage in Texas is in Clifton, Bosque County. The township of Norse was previously the center of Norwegian heritage, as it is home to Our Savior's Lutheran Church, the burial site of Cleng Peerson. However, Norse is now a ghost town, with the last residents being dispersed in the 1980s. After that, Clifton became the main area where people with Norwegian heritage reside. Another notable area is the Norwegian Seamen's Church, located in Pasadena, Texas. This is one of 18 churches globally that exist as a part of the Norwegian Church Abroad network. This is a cultural center where Norwegians and Norwegian-Americans can gather for Norwegian church services, holiday celebrations, and more. 

Other historical churches still stand today at Four Mile Prairie, in Cranfills Gap, Norse, and other areas, especially in Bosque County.



Sources to explore:
The Norwegian Settlement of Bosque County by the Texas Historical Commission

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