National Register Listing

Fayetteville Historic District

Roughly bounded by E. Bell, N. Thompson (FM 1291), E. Fayette, E. Main (SH 159), Post Oak Lane,, Fayetteville, TX
Fayetteville, Texas, is a small town of 260 inhabitants in south-central Texas with a cohesive group of commercial and residential buildings. The town's development and character have been heavily influenced by the large number of Czech farming families that immigrated to the area. Early Anglos came from the Southern states and operated large plantations and owned slaves. German immigrants began arriving in the 1830s and 1840s yet were surpassed by the influx of Bohemian and Moravian immigrants in the subsequent three decades. By the post-Civil War period European immigrants, primarily small farmers, outnumbered the Anglos. Philip Shaver, a native of Fayetteville, North Carolina, purchased the land, planted the town, and began selling lots in 1850. The railroad arrived in 1887 and the city prospered and by 1917 supported a population of 500 inhabitants. The Depression and WWII significantly curtailed farming efforts in the state and Fayetteville lost population to larger Texas towns and cities during the first half of the twentieth century. Those that did leave retained strong ties to the city and regularly returned for holidays and to visit relatives. Today Fayetteville remains a small but vibrant community with a population of 260. The Fayetteville Historic District is nominated for listing in the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion A in the areas of Ethnic Heritage/European (Czech), and Community Planning and Development, as well as under Criterion C in the area of Architecture all at the local level of significance. The period of significance is 1853-1958, representing the date of the oldest extant building, and continuing to the 50-year point.
Local significance of the district:
Architecture; Community Planning And Development; European

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 2008.

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.

Audiobooks about the history of Texas.
In the late 19th century, Texas became known for its cattle drives, in which cowboys would move herds of cattle from Texas to railheads in Kansas and other northern states. The cattle drives were dangerous and difficult work, but they played a key role in the development of the American cattle industry.
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 condensed summary of the historical journey 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.