Sommerfeld Colony (Caaguazú Department, Paraguay) Sommerfeld
Colony was one of two colonies (the other was Bergthal)
established in 1948 some 50 miles (95 km) east of Villarrica in
East Paraguay by Sommerfelder Mennonites from Manitoba (West
Reserve). In 1953 it had a population of 644 (119 families) in
nine villages, occupying ca. 93,000 acres. It is located some 15
miles (25 km) from Bergthal. In the first two years 75 families
with 383 persons returned to Canada. The center of the colony
was the village of Sommerfeld, where the elder, Isbrandt
Friesen, lived and where the co-operative was located. -- HSB
The Sommerfeld Colony in Paraguay is located 210 km. (130 mi.)
east of Asunción along the highway connecting that city with
Presidente Stroessner on the Brazilian border. The total land
purchased included 31,428 hectares (77,627 acres), inhabited by
1,750 persons (1986) of whom 586 were church members. Two
Mennonite villages, Neuhoffnung (Campo 9) and Altona (Campo 8)
lie directly along the highway. Bergth