Historical Marker

Half Moon

Historical marker location:
Shiner, Texas
( On FM 533 and at the intersection of FM 533 & Lavaca County Road 342. Half Moon is 1/2 mile south of maker location)
Marker installed: 2011
Marker size: 27" x 42"

THE COMMUNITY OF HALF MOON WAS FIRST MENTIONED IN A 1689 ACCOUNT FROM GOV. ALONSO DE LEON’S EXPEDITION WHEN THE GROUP ENCOUNTERED A NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBE THAT CALLED HALF MOON THEIR HOME. THE AREA WAS KNOWN AS HALF MOON DUE TO THE PECULIAR SHAPE OF THE TIMBER IN THE AREA. THIS LOCATION ON ROCKY CREEK WAS A NATURAL GATHERING PLACE FOR NATIVE AMERICANS AND TRAVELERS. SINCE THE 1830s, SETTLERS HAVE FLOCKED TO THE AREA TO ENGAGE IN TRADE AND FARMING. ONE OF THE EARLY SETTLERS WAS GERMAN IMMIGRANT GEORGE HERDER WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE TEXAS WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE AND BUILT A HOME IN THE AREA. DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE TOWN, FROM 1885 TO 1887, THE COMMUNITY CONSISTED OF MERCANTILE BUSINESSES, A SALOON, A POST OFFICE, AND A NUMBER OF OTHER BUILDINGS, INCLUDING A STRUCTURE FOR THE WOODMEN OF THE WORLD ORGANIZATION.

IN 1887, HENRY B. SHINER DONATED LAND FOR A RAILROAD AND THE BUILDING OF A TOWN, WHICH LATER BECAME KNOWN AS SHINER. FOR A SHORT WHILE, THE AREA WAS KNOWN AS NEW HALF MOON. ONCE THE ARANSAS PASS RAILROAD SWITCH WAS CONSTRUCTED ON SHINER’S LAND, TRANSPORTATION BYPASSED HALF MOON AND THE TOWN’S ACTIVITY AND POPULATION SLOWLY DECREASED. HALF MOON CONTINUED TO PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN THE ECONOMIC, POLITICAL AND SOCIAL LIFE OF THE PEOPLE IN THE AREA WITH A NUMBER OF EVENTS SUCH AS A RABBIT HUNT AND A 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION. THE HALF MOON COMMUNITY SERVED AS A FOCAL POINT FOR BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER THROUGH TRADE AND SERVED AS THE FOUNDATION FOR THE POPULATION OF SHINER. HALF MOON IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE INFLUENCE OF SMALL COMMUNITIES THAT LED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF LARGER COMMERCIAL CITIES

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.

Native American colonization
The Battle of San Jacinto fought on April 21, 1836, was the decisive battle of the Texas Revolution, and led to the capture of Santa Anna and the end of the conflict.
Texas random facts
Lavaca County, located in southeast Texas, has a rich and diverse history dating back to its settlement in the early 19th century. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Karankawa and Tonkawa people, who thrived off the land's natural resources. European settlement began in the 1820s, following the arrival of Stephen F. Austin's Old Three Hundred colonists.

In 1846, Lavaca County was officially established by the Texas state legislature and was named after the Lavaca River, which runs through the area. The county quickly developed as a center for agriculture, with cotton becoming the primary cash crop. Many plantations were established, and slavery played a significant role in the local economy, impacting the social and cultural dynamics of the region.

During the Civil War, Lavaca County supported the Confederacy, with many of its residents volunteering for military service. The county experienced the effects of the war firsthand, including economic hardships and infrastructure damage. In the post-war years, the cotton industry faced several challenges, including the boll weevil infestation and the Great Depression, which led to a decline in agricultural dominance.

In the 20th century, Lavaca County transitioned into a more diversified economy, with the growth of oil and gas exploration. The discovery of oil in the early 1900s brought prosperity to the region, attracting new residents and businesses. Today, Lavaca County continues to be primarily rural with a strong agricultural heritage, while also benefiting from the contributions of the energy industry. The county's deep-rooted history and ongoing development make it a unique and historically significant part of Texas.

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

  • 1846 - Lavaca County is established by the Texas legislature, carved out of parts of neighboring counties.
  • 1849 - The first county seat is established in Hallettsville.
  • 1852 - The oldest known courthouse in Lavaca County is built in Hallettsville.
  • 1856 - The county's first newspaper, the Lavaca Democrat, is founded.
  • 1861-1865 - Lavaca County residents support the Confederacy during the Civil War.
  • 1867 - St. Peter's Lutheran Church, the oldest continuously active Lutheran congregation in Texas, is established in Hallettsville.
  • 1873 - The Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway extends its tracks into Lavaca County.
  • 1881 - A new courthouse is constructed in Hallettsville to replace the original courthouse.
  • 1922 - The area around Lavaca County experiences a significant oil boom, leading to increased economic activity.
  • 1936 - The current Lavaca County Courthouse, a Classical Revival-style building, is completed in Hallettsville.
  • 1942-1945 - Many Lavaca County residents serve in World War II.
  • 1997 - The Lavaca County Courthouse is added to the National Register of Historic Places.
  • 2010 - Lavaca County celebrates its 150th anniversary since its establishment.
  • 2018 - Lavaca County continues to be a predominantly rural area with a strong agricultural industry.