Flatonia in Fayette County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

F.W. Flato

Photographed by Dave W, February 7, 2026

1. F.W. Flato Marker

Inscription.
Born on February 22, 1820, in Bremen, Germany, F.W. Flato immigrated to Texas in 1846 and settled in Austin County. Flato and his wife, Sophia Welhausen, moved to southwestern Fayette County by 1866 where they operated a successful mercantile business. Eventually, the town was named Flatonia in his honor and he became its postmaster. When the GH&SA Railway approached Fayette County in 1873, Flato helped negotiate the move of the town closer to the rail line. Ever the entrepreneur, Flato built a brick factory and a steam saw mill, but was best known for his work promoting land sales to immigrants settling the area along the new rail line. After a final move to Kendall County, Flato died on May 18, 1899, and is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Flatonia.

Erected 2016 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 18522.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Immigration • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is February 22, 1820.

Location. 29° 40.744′ N, 97° 6.533′ W. Marker is in Flatonia, Texas, in Fayette County.

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It is at the intersection of South Penn Street and W Old Hallettsville Road, on the right when traveling south on South Penn Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 830 S Penn St, Flatonia TX 78941, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Olle Hotel (approx. half a mile away); Wheeler Building (approx. half a mile away); Mike Schulze Building (approx. half a mile away); Flatonia (approx. 0.6 miles away); Flatonia Methodist Church (approx. 0.7 miles away); Robert Hancock Hunter (approx. 1.1 miles away); The American Doughboy (approx. 1.1 miles away); Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church (approx. 2.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map

Photographed by Dave W, February 7, 2026

2. F.W. Flato Marker

of all markers in Flatonia.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Flatonia City Hospital and Opera House (was approx. half a mile away but has been confirmed missing).

Photographed by Dave W, February 7, 2026

3. F.W. Flato Marker

Looking east down Old Hallettsville Rd.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 8, 2026, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. This page has been viewed 62 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 8, 2026, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.