* Religious freedom. Norway was a Lutheran country at the time, but there was a great deal of religious diversity in Texas. This made it an attractive destination for Norwegians who were looking for a place where they could practice their faith freely.
* Economic opportunity. Texas was a rapidly developing state, and there were many opportunities for employment. Norwegians who were willing to work hard could find good jobs in Texas.
* Land ownership. Texas had a lot of land available for purchase, and Norwegians were able to buy large tracts of land for relatively low prices. This made it possible for them to establish farms and ranches.
* Political freedom. Texas was a republic at the time, and it offered a great deal of political freedom to its citizens. This was appealing to Norwegians who had been living under the oppressive rule of the Swedish king.
Norwegians began arriving in Texas in the 1840s, and they quickly became one of the largest immigrant groups in the state. They settled in various parts of Texas, but the largest concentration of Norwegians was in the Hill Country. Today, there are over 1 million people of Norwegian descent living in Texas.