Jewish immigrants who came to Texas through Galveston started arriving by train in Mineola shortly after its establishment in 1873. Many soon established businesses near the intersection of Broad and Johnson Streets, including Simon and Aaron Munzesheimer; brothers Nathan and Hiram Sodekson; Emmanuel “Buddie” Mayer; and prominent entrepreneur and philanthropist Isaac Bromberg. Other leading Jewish families in Mineola included the Goldmans, Krausses, Weiners and Zuckermans. The contributions by the early Jewish families of Mineola played a major role in the economic, cultural and social development of the city.