Yesterday in the Texas Hill Country

by Gilbert J. Jordan

The simplicity of rural life appears in vivid detail in this account of German Texas heritage as it was lived in the early 1900s. Gilbert Jordan describes a way of life familiar to much of rural Texas at that time, but he also gives a heartwarming and fascinating look at the special ways and separate culture of Mason County's German Methodists. Holidays, foods, chores, songs, poems, proverbs, prayers, riddles, and the linguistic idiosyncrasies of the pietistic Germans who left Fredericksburg in the 1850s are intertwined through this charming narrative.

Genres: History

171 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1995

Reviews

[Kerry Pickens · Rating 3 out of 5]

A history of the German families in the Texas Hill Country around Mason and Fredericksburg Texas. The photos are the best part.

[Pamela Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

Because the town where Jordan grew up is related to my research subjects, I was curious but not terribly optimistic I'd learn much. I was wrong.

I loved the first-person descriptions of early 20th century life among German-Texans. As he notes, rural life was more like pioneers than his contemporaries in modern cities. I also loved that he explained how many German-Texans became Methodists. (My grandparents attended a Methodist church in Bend, Texas, and I used to hunt Easter eggs in the bluebonnets, so I have a soft spot.)

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

The history of Mason County includes a lot of names I'm familiar with which makes this book an interesting read. Jordan's a little wordy for me in general but his description of shopping in the stores found on the square - some of which are still there - gives me fresh eyes in which to see those places. His writing about the transition from horses to automobiles is entertaining. Also found a picture of a rock fence similar to the ones on the farm.