Walker County, Texas

Akin Hill Angier Farm Anthony Martin Branch Austin College Building Austin Hall Baker, James Addison Ball, The Rev. Thomas H. Bath Cemetery Besser, General John Slater Bethea Creek Bishop Ward Normal and Collegiate Institute Black Jack Methodist Church and Cemetery Boettcher House Boswell Baptist Church Broyles Chapel Missionary Baptist Church Buck Foster Cemetery Camp Huntsville, World War II Prisoner of War Camp Capt. Benjamin I. Harper Captain Joe Byrd Cemetery Chalk Cemetery Christopher C. Edinburg Clapp Cemetery Cook Springs Baptist Church Cunningham, Minnie Fisher Dodge East Sandy Community Eastham-Thomason House Ebenezer Baptist Church Ebenezer Cemetery Elijah Collard Emancipation Park Farris Chapel Methodist Church First Baptist Church of Huntsville First Christian Church of Huntsville First Missionary Baptist Church First Presbyterian Church of Huntsville First United Methodist Church of Huntsville Forrest Lodge No. 19, A.F.&A.M. Forrest Lodge No. 19, AF & AM Founding of Huntsville and of Historic Indian Post George Washington Grant and Grant's Colony Gibbs-Powell House Harmony Cemetery Harmony Grove Missionary Baptist Church Henderson Yoakum Henderson Yoakum Homesite Henry Opera House Hezekiah Faris Hillary Mercer Crabb Houston, Margaret Moffette Lea Huntsville Branch Railway, "Tilley's Tap" Huntsville Item Huntsville Springs Huntsville "Walls" Unit James and Rhoda Creel Beall Winters Jardine-Brown House Jasper Missionary Baptist Church Jesse Parker John Frelan Winters Josey Boy Scout Lodge Joshua Houston Mark Manning Martha's Chapel McAdams Cemetery McAdams Homeplace Newport Oakwood Cemetery Oakwood Cemetery Old Gibbs Store "Old" Main Building Original Site of The Steamboat House Peabody Library Building Pleasant Williams Kittrell Powell Sanctuary Pritchett House Rogersville Sallie E. Gibbs Sam Houston Sam Houston Industrial and Training School Samuel Calhoun Cemetery Site of Andrew Female College Site of Andrew Female College Site of Boettcher's Mill Site of Cincinnati Site of Cumberland Presbyterian Church Site of the Home of Henderson Yoakum Site of Thomas Plantation and Steamboat Landing St. James United Methodist Church of Huntsville St. Joseph's Catholic Church State Penitentiary C.S.A. and Texas Civil War Manufacturing Steamboat House The Five Courthouses of Walker County The Huntsville Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1867 The Seven Hills of Huntsville Thomas Cemetery Town of Riverside Union Hill Church Walker County Walker County Walker County Walker County Waverly Cemetery Western Grove Baptist Church William Luther Dean Woodland, Home of Sam Houston Wynne House

Walker County, Texas has a rich and diverse history that dates back to the early 1800s. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Caddo and Atakapa tribes, who lived off the land and hunted in the dense forests. The first European settlers arrived in the early 1830s, attracted by the fertile soil and abundant wildlife.

In 1836, Walker County was officially established and named after Samuel Hamilton Walker, a Texas Ranger captain who died in the Mexican-American War. The county became a hub for trade and commerce, with the town of Huntsville serving as the county seat. The early residents engaged in farming, ranching, and timber industries, which became the backbone of the local economy.

During the Civil War, Walker County played a significant role as a major supplier of food and provisions to the Confederate army. However, the county also faced its share of hardships, including raids by Union troops and the devastation caused by the war. After the war, Walker County experienced a period of reconstruction and gradual recovery.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Walker County saw significant progress and development. The expansion of railroads brought new opportunities for trade and transportation, and the discovery of oil in the early 1900s further boosted the local economy. In recent decades, Walker County has continued to grow and evolve, embracing modern industries while preserving its unique heritage and natural beauty. Today, the county is known for its thriving educational institutions, correctional facilities, and vibrant community.
Brief timeline of the history of Walker County, Texas:

  • 1836: Walker County is established
  • 1846: Huntsville becomes the county seat
  • 1861: Walker County residents vote for secession from the Union
  • 1870: The Houston and Great Northern Railroad reaches Huntsville
  • 1900: The town of New Waverly is incorporated
  • 1936: Sam Houston State Teachers College is established
  • 1965: The Texas Department of Corrections is established in Huntsville
  • 1970: San Jacinto Mall opens in Baytown
  • 1999: The City of Huntsville celebrates its 150th anniversary
  • 2007: The Texas Department of Criminal Justice moves its headquarters to Huntsville

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Walker County, Texas.