Historical Marker

Muldoon Community

Historical marker location:
Corner of FM 2237 & FM 154, Muldoon, Texas
( Muldoon Community Park)
Marker installed: 2014
Marker size: 27" x 42" with post

Located in southwest Fayette County, the Muldoon area was first settled in the

1830s. The community was named in honor of Father Miguel Muldoon and is

situated on land acquired in 1831 through a Spanish land grant from Stephen F.

Austin. Father Muldoon was of Irish heritage, educated in Spain and moved to

Mexico in 1821 when he entered the priesthood. In Mexico, he met Stephen F.

Austin, who gave eleven leagues of land to Muldoon in return for his ministry

to the colonists. Four of these leagues were located in Fayette County.

The San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railroad was built through the area in 1887

and the town grew quickly around it. James Kerr established the first post

office in January 1888. Within a decade, Muldoon boasted its own physician,

general merchandise stores, churches, a barber shop, saloon, meat market,

blacksmith shop, hotel, woodworking shop, lumberyard, cotton gin, railroad

depot and a school. The Muldoon courthouse building is a rarity. Constructed in

1890, it is one of six justice precinct courthouses that were built in Fayette

County. Over the years, it has been used as a mattress factory, canning

kitchen, site for quilting bees, voting location, community meeting place and a

museum. Muldoon is also known for its Muldoon blue sandstone. Taken from the

A. B. Kerr quarry, the sandstone was used in the construction of several sites

in Texas, including courthouses, a jail, churches and later in the construction

of Galveston and other coastal jetties. Muldoon was once a thriving community,

but declined as the railroad industry became less relevant. (2014)

As one of the most visible programs of the Texas Historical Commission (THC), historical markers commemorate diverse topics in Texas history, including: the history and architecture of houses, commercial and public buildings, religious congregations, and military sites; events that changed the course of local and state history; and individuals who have made lasting contributions to the state, community organizations, and businesses.

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Texas random facts
Fayette County, Texas, located in the southeastern part of the state, has a rich and diverse history. The area was first settled by indigenous Native American tribes, such as the Lipan Apache and Karankawa, who thrived off the bountiful natural resources of the region. European exploration and colonization began in the late 17th century when Spanish explorers arrived, followed by French adventurers and American frontiersmen.

The establishment of Anglo-American settlements in Fayette County started in the 1820s under Stephen F. Austin's colony. The town of La Grange, which would become the county seat, was founded in 1826 and named after the ancestral home of General Lafayette. Over the next few decades, more pioneers arrived, attracted by the fertile soil and opportunities for farming and ranching. German immigrants, in particular, played a significant role in the county's development, establishing thriving communities and introducing their agricultural practices.

During the mid-19th century, Fayette County became embroiled in the turmoil of the Texas Revolution and the Civil War. The Battle of Fayetteville, fought in 1836, marked a significant event in the struggle for Texas independence. Confederate soldiers from Fayette County fought in various battles during the Civil War, including the Battle of Galveston and the Battle of Sabine Pass.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Fayette County experienced economic growth and cultural diversification. Railroads connected the county to larger markets, stimulating trade and commerce. The discovery of oil and gas reserves further bolstered the local economy. Today, Fayette County is known for its agricultural industry, with crops like cotton and corn, as well as cattle ranching. It also attracts tourists with its historical sites, including the Monument Hill and Kreische Brewery State Historic Sites, which commemorate important moments in the county's history.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Fayette County, Texas.

  • 1837 – Fayette County is established as one of the original counties of the Republic of Texas.
  • 1838 – The permanent county seat is established in La Grange.
  • 1861-1865 – Fayette County residents actively participate in the Civil War.
  • 1873 – The railroad reaches Fayette County, spurring economic growth.
  • 1901 – The first oil well is drilled in the county, leading to the discovery of the West Point Oil Field.
  • 1905 – The monumental Fayette County Courthouse is built.
  • 1950s-1970s – Fayette County experiences an agricultural boom due to the construction of the Fayette Power Project and Fayette Nuclear Plant.
  • 1998 – Fayette County celebrates its 150th anniversary.
  • 2011 – The historic town square in La Grange is added to the National Register of Historic Places.