Foreign immigration to Texas has enriched the culture and people of our state. One of the largest European groups to settle Texas were the Germans. In the 1860s, one-fifth of the residents of Houston, Galveston, and San Antonio were German. Towns such as New Braunfels and Fredericksburg continue to celebrate their heritage.

Polish families migrated to Texas during the mid-1800s while many Czechs came during the 1840s to escape the political turmoil in Europe.

Jewish immigrants came to Texas during the earliest days of colonization. Some fought at the Alamo and others became prominent merchants, writers, and politicians.

Some Europeans such as the Irish, English and French came during the early years of Texas statehood. One group of French settlers founded the colony of La Réunion near Dallas. After the colony failed, many of the immigrants moved to Dallas and contributed to the social and cultural life of the city.

Norwegians also migrated to Texas in the 1800s. An early Norwegian settler, Elise Waerenskjold, wrote many letters back to Norway describing the freedom she found in Texas.

Third Day of Christmas, 1852

To Mrs. Thomine Dannevig:

...I have always had a liking for farm and country life, and if one is otherwise happy in his position, I cannot imagine a more pleasant or more independent state, for in this country a tiller of the soil is respected as much as anyone else, be he official or merchant. This is not as in Norway, where the farmers constitute a lower class...

- Elise Waerenskjold