May-Hickey House
FM 682 1.7 mi. S of jct. with TX 111, Yoakum, TXThe May-Hickey House, a vernacular log structure dating to the 1840s, is a finely-crafted example of dwelling types constructed by early Anglo-American settlers in Texas. According to Dr. Terry Jordan of the University of Texas at Austin, it is "one of the most important historic vernacular dwellings in DeWitt County and all of South Central Texas." A rare surviving link with early Anglo- American settlement in the region, the house and its intact rural complex provide insight into the aesthetic tastes, log cabin technology, and vernacular building traditions prevalent in the region.
The May-Hickey House is the oldest recorded log structure in the DeWitt County area, and one of the oldest buildings in South Central Texas. A sophisticated and remarkably complete example of story-and-a-half, dog-run-plan type of vernacular log dwellings, the structure is a rare surviving link with early Anglo-American settlement in Texas.
Born in Missouri in 1815, John Joseph May moved in 1833 to his father's land grant in Texas. The family was the first group of Anglo-Americans to settle at Brushy Creek. After receiving a contiguous grant of a quarter league on the creek in 1835, May was forced to relocate to Nacogdoches during the Runaway Scrape of 1836. He returned to Brushy Creek in 1838, married Catherine McCoy, and ran cattle on his tract.
In 1863 John Joseph May and Catherine sold an undivided 900 acres to their son John and his wife and to James and Martha Hickey. This acreage included the log house, perhaps at its original site. By 1872, when the property was partitioned, James and Martha Hickey apparently were living in the relocated structure. Archeological data indicate that alterations to the appearance of the structure date to their ownership of the property. In 1903, the Hickeys sold the house and surrounding acreage to F.J. Walicek, who in turn sold the property to William G. Heuermann. George M. Woolsey purchased the tract in 1908, and the house functioned as a residence for tenants until 1940. Used as a storage facility in the intervening years, the house and property were purchased in 1978 by Mr. and Mrs. Oliver McBryde Jr., who completed its restoration in 1983.
Between 1981 and 1983, the research uncovered evidence that made possible a more accurate reconstruction of the history of the building. Dendrochronological testing of logs from the structure revealed that the majority had been cut in 1847 and 1848. These dates correspond to a dramatic increase in tax valuation for 900 acres owned by John and Catherine May. Nevertheless, archeological excavations around and beneath the house and an examination of the chinking material between the log walls and the wood sheathing uncovered few artifacts which predated the 1870s. Consecutive Roman numerals on the logs, however, implied that they had been moved and reassembled on the present site. Archeological, dendrochronological, genealogical, and legal evidence thus suggests that the house was constructed in 1848 on property belonging to John Joseph and Catherine May. The structure probably was moved to its present site sometime after 1863, as a result of the ownership of James and Martha Jane Hickey. They are thought to be responsible for sheathing the logs and filling in the rear porch to create a second range of rooms on the ground floor. These alterations may date to the period following 1872 when the Hickeys received a clear title to the structure.
Associated with prominent early settlers of DeWitt County, the architectural integrity of the May-Hickey House provides a significant opportunity to understand the aesthetic tastes and vernacular building traditions of Texans in the middle decades of the 19th Century. As the oldest recorded log structure in DeWitt County, it clearly illustrates the structural patterns and details typical of the class of dwellings constructed by early Anglo-American settlers in Texas. Moreover, the house possesses distinctive characteristics of the Louisiana house form, a sophisticated style for the region at the time of construction. The sheathing of the structure with new siding and the creation of the rear range of rooms indicate construction technologies in the area were evolving to meet changing needs and expectations. Sited in a complex of agricultural structures, this unique resource documents the changing patterns of rural society in the region.
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1988.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
In 1827, the area that is now DeWitt County was incorporated into the Mexican state of Coahuila y Tejas. Shortly after, American settlement began in the region, with empresarios such as Green DeWitt and Martín de León playing significant roles. DeWitt, for whom the county is named, received a land grant in 1825 and played a vital part in bringing Anglo-American colonizers to the area.
DeWitt County saw significant growth during the Texas Revolution in the 1830s. The Battle of Gonzales, the first engagement of the revolution, occurred just outside the county's boundaries. The county itself became a site of conflict during the revolution, with the Battle of Ethel's Woods and the Battle of Gonzales River Bridge taking place within its borders.
After Texas gained independence from Mexico, DeWitt County was officially established in 1846. The county seat was initially Gonzales, but it was moved to Cuero in 1876. Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, DeWitt County experienced economic growth due to industries such as ranching, oil, and agriculture.
Present-day DeWitt County continues to thrive as a center for agriculture, oil and gas production, and tourism. The county is known for its rich historical sites, including the Gonzales Memorial Museum, which houses artifacts from the Texas Revolution, and numerous ranches that showcase the area's strong cattle industry. DeWitt County's history is a testament to the resilience and determination of its early settlers and remains an essential part of Texas's broader historical narrative.
DeWitt County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of DeWitt County, Texas.
- 1827: DeWitt County is established as a part of DeWitt's Colony in Mexican Texas.
- 1840: The Battle of Plum Creek takes place in DeWitt County during the Texan Revolution.
- 1846: DeWitt County becomes a part of the newly formed Republic of Texas.
- 1848: Texas becomes a state of the United States, and DeWitt County remains a part of it.
- 1850: Population growth leads to the establishment of the county seat, Cuero.
- 1870: The Gulf, Western Texas and Pacific Railway reaches Cuero, increasing trade and transportation opportunities.
- 1874: Cuero is officially incorporated as a city.
- 1893: Oil is discovered in DeWitt County, leading to economic growth and development.
- 1923: A disastrous fire destroys much of downtown Cuero.
- 1941-1945: DeWitt County contributes to the war effort during World War II.
- 1960s-1970s: DeWitt County experiences a decline in population and economic activity.
- 1990s-present: DeWitt County experiences a resurgence in oil and gas production, leading to economic growth.