Heinrich Farm Recognized for 150 Years of Continuous Operation in Fayette County

Bob Heinrich, along with his daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren, recently traveled to the “The Chandelier of Gruene” in New Braunfels to accept a Texas Family Land Heritage award from the Texas Department of Agriculture.

The Heinrich Farm, located on FM 956 north of Schulenburg was the only farm to receive the award in Fayette County. Only 13 farms in the state of Texas received the 150 year certificate. Another 48 farms in the state received the 100 year award. A short history of the Heinrich farm is listed below: Joseph Heinrich was a bricklayer in Austria before coming to this area in 1865. He was one of the original settlers in High Hill, Texas. He landed by ship in Galveston, and traveled overland by ox cart to High Hill where he purchased the land in 1875. He lived somewhere in High Hill from 1865 to 1875, but no one is sure where. He brought his skill with him and helped construct the first successful oil mill in Texas, located in High Hill. He started the farming operation in 1875, with cotton, corn, hogs, chickens and cattle. Ferdinand Heinrich, his son, acquired the land in 1902 and continued with the farming operation. Ferdinand also invented and patented a baling machine for use with hay or cotton in 1902. He helped build the historic Catholic Church in High Hill, which is presently dubbed the “Queen” of the Painted Churches in this area. Ferdinand was a band leader and a prominent member in the community, often loaning money to those in need during the Great Depression. He also helped build one of the first automated cotton gins in Texas in the local community.

Robert A. Heinrich acquired the land in 1935 and expanded the farming operation to not only include the existing agricultural products, but expanded to include other animals and poultry. He married Rosa O. Muehr and they had 10 children. Mildred, Leon, Arnold, Darlene, David, Elvira, Dianne, Robert L. (Bob), Marie, and Michael. In 1978 Robert L. (Bob) inherited part of the land and began buying out his brothers and sisters. Arnold also bought out some of the siblings. The land was subsequently partition deeded and Bob owned the western part while Arnold owned the eastern part. Bob and his wife Diana then bought an additional 25 acres from his cousin, Arthur Heinrich Jr., to add on to his property, which is now a total of 56 acres.

Bob continues to live on the land and still runs a cattle operation, after his retirement from the Air Force, in which he served 34 years.