Mentz, Texas

Mentz, Texas
Unincorporated community
Mentz is located in Texas
Mentz
Mentz
Location within the state of Texas
Mentz is located in the United States
Mentz
Mentz
Mentz (the United States)
Coordinates: 29°45′01″N 96°26′13″W / 29.75028°N 96.43694°W / 29.75028; -96.43694
CountryUnited States
StateTexas
CountyColorado
Elevation
[1]
285 ft (87 m)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
78935
Area code979
GNIS feature ID1378665[1]

Mentz is an unincorporated community in northeastern Colorado County, in the U.S. state of Texas. According to the Handbook of Texas, the community had a population of 100 in 2000.

History

The majority of the community's settlers were German Catholics from Büdesheim, Hesse, who arrived around 1846. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Mainz produced a large number of the initial settlers. The settlement was first known as Neu Mainz by the Mainz Society, before changing to Mentz. In 1858, a tiny church was constructed by the settlers and given the name St. Roch after a chapel located near Büdesheim and Bingen. The post office serving the area was first founded in 1853 under the name San Bernard, changed to New Mainz in 1860, and closed in 1866. It was then reopened as Mentz in 1889, closed in 1896, reopened the following year, and moved to Alleyton in 1913. Mentz had the church building, a rectory, a cemetery, a church hall, and some picnic buildings in 1986. There was also a baseball park on the premises. Mentz had 167 registered voters in its precinct. The population was 100 in 2000.[2]

On September 4, 2011, a fire blazed through Mentz. It consumed 1,800 acres (730 ha), 11 homes, 40 outbuildings, and about 38 vehicles. It was contained a few days later.[3]

Geography

Mentz is located at the intersection of Mentz and Frelsburg roads, approximately 7 miles (11 km) northeast of Columbus in Colorado County.[2]

Education

The Sisters of Divine Providence operated a Catholic School in the community from 1872 through 1916.[2] Today, the community is served by the Columbus Independent School District.

  • St. Roch Catholic Church is near the intersection of Frelsburg and Mentz Roads.
    St. Roch Catholic Church is near the intersection of Frelsburg and Mentz Roads.
  • State historical marker describes the history of the Bernardo and Mentz communities.
    State historical marker describes the history of the Bernardo and Mentz communities.
  • Mentz sign is at FM 949 and Frelsburg Road.
    Mentz sign is at FM 949 and Frelsburg Road.

References

  1. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Mentz, Texas. Retrieved on October 24, 2016.
  2. ^ a b c Mentz, Texas from the Handbook of Texas Online
  3. ^ "Fire in Mentz, Texas". Archived from the original on October 4, 2011. Retrieved September 4, 2011.