The Twelve Families

All twelve families became farmers, but farming in Texas was harsh. Without electricity or modern machinery, the work was grueling. Yet compared to the limited opportunities back home, Texas offered the chance to own land, grow wealth, and build a better future.

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The greatest challenge was not the heat or the work — it was isolation. Letters rarely traveled back to Italy, there was no telephone service, and many immigrants could not read or write. Most spoke only the Piedmontese dialect, which created a painful divide between them and the rest of League City.

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Misunderstandings and prejudice followed. In one case, an Italian child was attacked on his way home from school simply for being Italian. Fortunately, another farmer intervened. Yet not all interactions were negative — some locals spoke up for the families. One store owner defended them, saying:  “Many of you dislike Italians, but they are my best customers. They pay in full, in cash, and cause no trouble. Others often buy on credit and I struggle to get my money back.”

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The second generation began learning English at school, often teaching it to their parents at home. Mothers like Teresa Sola Daro, who struggled to understand her daughter Margherita’s new English, felt the pain of watching their children drift from their heritage. Assimilation meant acceptance, but it also meant sacrificing language and tradition.

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The remarkable journey of these families inspires the creation of the Italian Family Heritage Farmhouse at the Butler Longhorn Museum. This project will honor their sacrifices and preserve their legacy. Learn more about the renovation on our Renovations page, and visit Get Involved to discover how you can help.