In 1845, the first Norwegian colony in Texas was founded here as Normandy by Johan Reinert Reierson (1810-1864) and Ole Reierson of Holt, Norway. In Christianssandsposten, J.R. Reierson urged Norwegians to find "a rich life" by migrating to Texas. His associate editor, Elise Tvede (1815-1895), also came to Texas and continued writing for publications in Norway. She married Wilhelm Warenskjold, lived in this area, and opened her home to Norwegian newcomers. By 1853, a Norwegian-Lutheran church and cemetery had been established here. Normandy was later renamed Brownsboro.