Near Lockhart in Caldwell County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Polonia Cemetery
The settlement once boasted a cotton gin, blacksmith shop, general store, and the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Schools for both English and Spanish speaking students were built. The Polish population retained many traditions from their homeland. Polonia declined in the late 1930s because of a failing farm economy. The Catholic church was razed in 1939.
The Dzierzanowski Family Cemetery, now Polonia Community Cemetery, is the last reminder of the once vibrant village. Twenty-five percent of those buried in the cemetery are veterans of the United States Armed Forces.
The first known families of Polonia, settling near this site from 1891, were Bienek, Boniewiez, Bonkowski, Dedek, Dikowski, Dykowski, Dzierzanowski, Foerster, Foryszewski, Grabarkewitz, Kalinowski, Krzgwosinski, Levandowski, Malinowski, Petroski, Pieniazek, Reisner, Scholwinski, Slawinski, Urbanski, Wacluwczyk, Wisniewski, Zaleski, Zarrasky, Zawadski, and Zolewski.
Erected 1998 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 11775.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical year for this entry is 1894.
Location. 29° 56.419′ N, 97° 42.323′ W. Marker is near Lockhart, Texas, in Caldwell County. Marker is on Polonia Road (County Road 233) 0.4 miles west of Rolling Ridge Road (County Road 221), on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lockhart TX 78644, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Emmanuel Episcopal Church (approx. 4.3 miles away); Susanna Dickinson Hannig-Messenger of the Alamo (approx. 4.3 miles away); First Presbyterian Church of Lockhart (approx. 4.3 miles away); First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) (approx. 4.3 miles away); Caldwell County Confederate Soldiers Memorial (approx. 4.3 miles away); Caldwell County Courthouse (approx. 4.4 miles away); Caldwell County (approx. 4.4 miles away); Caldwell County Jail (approx. 4.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lockhart.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 13, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 13, 2020, by Larry D. Moore of Del Valle, Texas. This page has been viewed 337 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 13, 2020, by Larry D. Moore of Del Valle, Texas.