Rancho
Rancho grew up around the country store of Paul Murray, on land he purchased in 1849. His store was located at the intersection of roads that led to the important settlements of San Antonio, Gonzales, Seguin, Cuero, Goliad and Indianola. Murray had come to Texas from Mississippi and was soon followed by many of his Mississippi neighbors. They came in search of farm land, but soon abandoned the plow to adopt the cowboy culture of the area, as unbranded range cattle were everywhere and free for the taking. The name “Rancho” was given to the settlement as a ranching culture developed. Some of the earliest open range branding codes in Texas originated here in 1866, as local stockmen were gathering cattle herds to be driven to northern markets by Rancho cowboys. These codes facilitated the system of marking and tracking the cattle that mingled together in open, unfenced ranges.
A post office was officially established in 1855, and Rancho grew to have several businesses, as well as a school and two churches. Rancho began a rapid decline in population when the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railroad bypassed the town in 1906, and many residents relocated to the new railroad town of Nixon, two miles to the south. The post office closed in 1911, and by that time, many of Rancho’s buildings had been moved to Nixon and most of Rancho’s residents had relocated to the new town.
Although virtually no visible evidence of the town of Rancho remains, the town’s short existence stands as a reminder of the hundreds of similar towns that fell prey to the railroads that crossed Texas during the late 19th century
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.
Texas was once a part of Mexico but gained independence in 1836 after a famous battle at the Alamo.
Following the Texas Revolution and the establishment of the Republic of Texas, Gonzales County played a vital role in the formation of the new state. The town of Gonzales became the capital of DeWitt County and remained a prominent center for trade and agriculture. The 1850s brought an influx of German immigrants to the area, who brought with them their agricultural expertise and helped to further develop the county's economy.
During the Civil War, Gonzales County primarily sided with the Confederacy, and many residents served in the Confederate Army. After the war, the county faced a period of reconstruction and struggled with political and economic challenges. However, through the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the discovery of oil and the expansion of the cattle industry brought renewed growth and prosperity to Gonzales County.
Today, Gonzales County remains a vibrant community with a mix of agriculture, oil and gas production, and diverse industries. The county is also known for its rich cultural heritage, including historical sites and the annual reenactment of the Battle of Gonzales. The county's history is celebrated and preserved through museums, historical markers, and the pride of its residents in their shared past.
Gonzales County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Gonzales County, Texas.
- 1834 - Gonzales County established as a municipality of Mexico
- 1835 - "Come and Take It" cannon skirmish occurs in Gonzales, marking the start of the Texas Revolution
- 1836 - Texas gains independence from Mexico; Gonzales County becomes part of the Republic of Texas
- 1846 - Texas becomes a state, and Gonzales County remains a political subdivision
- 1861-1865 - Gonzales County residents participate in the American Civil War
- 1878 - The Gonzales Inquirer, the oldest continuously published weekly newspaper in Texas, is established
- 1887 - Gonzales County Courthouse is built
- 1891 - The Harwood and Gonzales Railway connects Gonzales to the Texas railway network
- 1905 - Oil is discovered in Gonzales County, leading to an economic boom
- 1936 - The Gonzales Warm Springs Rehabilitation Center, now the J.B. Wells Park, opens as a medical facility for polio patients
- 1949 - The Gonzales Memorial Museum is established to preserve local history
- 1967 - The Gonzales State School opens to serve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities
- 1988 - The Confederate Soldiers Monument is erected in the Gonzales Memorial Museum