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Between 1820 and 1924, Jewish immigrants fled to the United States to escape economic hardship, religious persecution, and political and social upheaval. With this influx of people and the construction of railways, many towns developed with new Jewish communities. With the arrival of the Houston and Texas Central Railway, a Jewish community settled and thrived in Calvert in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Following the Sanger brothers opening a store in 1868, many other Jewish merchants opened stores in Calvert. Notably, Rudolph Oscar opened a dry goods store in 1870. Soon after, he opened the four-story Grand Central Hotel. Jake Abrams owned and ran a popular saloon in Calvert. By 1870, Calvert's Jewish population owned and operated about 16 businesses in the downtown area.
While Calvert did not have a synagogue or rabbi, the Jewish community still thrived. The community still observed many Jewish traditions, including celebrating the High Holidays and consecrating a Jewish cemetery. Located on Hanna Street, the Calvert Jewish Cemetery is composed of two sections. Established in the 1870s, the Calvert Hebrew Benevolent Society purchased the first section during a yellow fever outbreak. In 1901, the Calvert Hebrew Cemetery Society purchased the second section from the City of Calvert. Approximately 125 people are buried in the cemetery.
Although the local Jewish population dwindled throughout the early 20th century, the Calvert Jewish Cemetery represents the Jewish community's important contributions, both to Calvert's early economic development and to the history of Texas. Historic Texas Cemetery - 2016 |
