Caldwell House
619 Maury St., San Marcos, TXAmong the names of the many people who owned the house prior to 1945 are Herndon, Heard, Driskill, Leinweber, Summy, McNeill, Haymes, Ramsay, and Smith. Little is known of their lives, as they relate to this property, but one story stands out. J. Alex Driskill and his wife bought the house in 1901. Driskill was an elder in the Church of Christ, where musical instruments were forbidden. When a small organ was installed, .Driskill's mother, who lived with her son and daughter-in-law at 619 Maury, took a hatchet to the innocent instrument, saying "If there's going to be any noise made around here, Alex and I will make it." This incident had occurred in 1892 or 1893. The dispute caused a faction under J.L. Green's leadership to break off and form First Christian Church.
Less colorful, but more constructive, was the contribution of a veterinarian, J.A. Riley, who rented the house in the teens. The present owner's grandfather, A.C. Feltner, started the town's first soft-drink bottling plant in 1897.
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1983.
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.
The Texas Rangers, a famous law enforcement agency, were first organized in 1835 to protect settlers from Native American attacks.
In the early 1800s, Anglo-American settlers began to establish permanent settlements in what is now Hays County. One of the most notable figures in the county's history is Captain John Coffee "Jack" Hays, a Texas Ranger who played a significant role in fighting against Native American raids in the region. As a result of his contributions, the county was renamed in his honor in 1848.
During the mid-1800s, Hays County experienced rapid growth and development, fueled by the arrival of the railroad in the region. The county became an important hub for agriculture, with cotton and cattle as the main industries. The county seat, San Marcos, played a key role in the growth of education in the area, becoming home to Southwest Texas State Normal School (now Texas State University) in 1899.
In the 20th century, Hays County continued to evolve and modernize. The population increased steadily as more people were attracted to the area’s natural beauty, recreational opportunities, and proximity to Austin. Today, Hays County remains a vibrant and growing community, serving as a bridge between the natural beauty of the Texas Hill Country and the urban amenities of nearby metropolitan areas.
Hays County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Hays County, Texas.
- 1837: Hays County is officially established as a county when the Republic of Texas is formed.
- 1848: The county seat is established in the town of San Marcos.
- 1856: A charter is granted to create the Hays County Agricultural, Manufacturing, and Mechanical Association.
- 1861: With the outbreak of the Civil War, many men from Hays County volunteer for service in the Confederate Army.
- 1881: The International-Great Northern Railroad is completed, connecting San Marcos to Austin and San Antonio.
- 1903: Southwest Texas State Normal School (now known as Texas State University) is established in San Marcos.
- 1938: The Blanco River floods, causing significant damage to homes and infrastructure in Hays County.
- 1996: The Hays County Courthouse, built in 1909, is added to the National Register of Historic Places.
- 2015: The county experiences widespread flooding from heavy rains, resulting in several deaths and extensive property damage.