Nixon
Historical marker location:IN 1901, PLANS WERE MADE TO EXTEND THE ROUTE OF THE GALVESTON, HARRISBURG AND SAN ANTONIO (GH&SA) RALROAD TO CONNECT THE SOUTH TEXAS TOWNS OF CUERO AND STOCKDALE. AFTER THE 1904 DEATH OF RANCHER JOHN T. NIXON, HIS WIDOW, LUCINDA, AND THEIR DAUGHTER, ZEDDIE, APPROACHED ATTORNEY AND NEPHEW, ROBERT F. NIXON, TO BROKER A DEAL WITH THE RAILROAD THAT WOULD BENEFIT THE NIXON FAMILY. THE NIXONS PROVIDED LAND FOR A TOWNSITE THAT INCLUDED RIGHT-OF-WAY FOR THE RAILROAD TRACKS AND PROPERTY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF SHIPPING FACILITIES AND A DEPOT, AND IN ADDITION, EVERY ODD-NUMBERED BLOCK WOULD BE GIVEN TO THE RAILROAD TO SELL FOR PROFIT. IN RETURN, THE RAILROAD PROMISED TO ADVERTISE THE TOWNSITE ACROSS THE UNITED STATES, ENCOURAGING ITS SUCCESS. THE ORIGINAL TOWN SURVEY WAS COMPLETED ON MARCH 2, 1906, AND THE FIRST TOWN LOTS WERE SOLD LATER THAT MONTH.
SOON SETTLERS FROM NEARBY COMMUNITIES BEGAN TO MIGRATE TO THE NEW TOWN, AND THEY WERE QUICKLY FOLLOWED BY “OUTSIDERS” WHO POURED IN FROM OTHER TEXAS TOWNS AND FROM LOCATIONS AS FAR AWAY AS ALABAMA AND OHIO. BECAUSE COTTON WAS THE CASH CROP OF THE DAY, MUCH OF THE AREA GRASSLAND WAS PLOWED UNDER SO THAT COTTON COULD BE PLANTED. SOON, THREE COTTON GINS DOTTED THE TOWNSITE OF NIXON.
COTTON REMAINED AS THE AREA’S MAIN ECONOMIC EXPORT UNTIL WORLD WAR II, WHEN THE POULTRY INDUSTRY BECAME THE ECONOMIC DRIVER FOR THE AREA. ALTHOUGH THE RAILROAD TRACKS THAT SYMBOLIZE THE CREATION OF NIXON HAVE BEEN REMOVED AND THE COTTON GINS NO LONGER REMAIN, NIXON CONTINUES AS AN IMPORTANT CENTER OF COMMERCE IN GONZALES COUNTY
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.
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 concise overview of the key events in the history 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