Israel, Polk County, Texas
Israel | |
|---|---|
Israel Location within Texas Israel Israel (the United States) | |
| Coordinates: 30°44′33″N 94°53′31″W / 30.74250°N 94.89194°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Polk County |
| Time zone | CST |
Israel is an unincorporated religious intentional community in Polk County, Texas, United States, located 80 miles (128 km) north of Houston.[1]
History
Israel was established in 1895, by a religious group known as the Israelites. The Israelites had split from the Flying Roll, a sect of Adventism.[2] They were vegetarian subsistence farmers; they also grew their hair out. They platted their community on 144 acres of land, and within their community, they operated a church: the New House of Israel. The population was 75 in 1909, which declined through the 20th century, though the population rose slightly, to 25 in 2000.[3]
References
- ^ "Israel". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
- ^ Miller, Timothy (1998-05-01). The Quest for Utopia in Twentieth-Century America: Volume I: 1900-1960. Syracuse University Press. p. 15. ISBN 978-0-8156-2775-3.
- ^ Association, Texas State Historical. "The History of the Israelite Community in Polk County, Texas". Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 2026-01-19.