Settlement History

Lavaca County has deep Czech and German roots

German and Czech immigrants shaped Lavaca County in the late 1800s and their influence is still visible in local towns, churches, and food traditions.

Lavaca County History & Culture

After the Civil War, large numbers of German and Czech immigrants moved to Lavaca County. The 1890 census counted nearly 1,900 foreign-born residents from Germany. It also counted about 1,750 from Austria — which at that time included Czech-speaking Bohemia. These settlers farmed the land, built churches, and formed close communities.

Shiner is a small city in Lavaca County. It is home to the Spoetzl Brewery, which Czech and German settlers founded. The Handbook of Texas records how these groups shaped the county's farming, trade, and culture into the early 1900s. Visitors today still find German and Czech family names, kolache bakeries, and old churches across the county.

Source to confirm: TSHA Handbook of Texas — Lavaca County

More Lavaca County notes

Property Tax

Two offices handle your property taxes in Lavaca County

The Lavaca County Appraisal District sets your property value; a separate tax assessor-collector office collects what you owe.

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Ag Valuation

Farm and ranch land in Lavaca County can get a big tax break

Texas law lets qualifying farm and ranch land be taxed on what it can produce, not what it could sell for — which usually means a much lower tax bill.

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Water & Wells

Lavaca County has no local groundwater district — here is what that means

Lavaca County has no local groundwater district. That means fewer local permit rules for water wells — but state rules still apply.

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Hunting

Deer hunting in Lavaca County follows North Zone rules

Lavaca County falls under TPWD's North Zone for white-tailed deer, with a four-deer limit per season and antler restrictions hunters need to know.

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