In July, 1835 Countess De Leon led a group of German immigrants to this site and established a communal colony that operated successfully for 37 years. Two descendants of the colony, Chester Krouse and Ruby Krouse, with the consent of Mrs. Chester Krouse, donated one acre of colony land and buildings to the Webster Parish Police Jury on Oct. 17, 1973. Through the coordinated efforts of the Webster Parish Police Jury, the Webster Parish Bicentennial Committee, and the Germantown Restoration Committee, restoration of the colony began on Dec. 4, 1973.