McKie-Bass Building
a.k.a. Hays County Abstract Company Building;See Also:Hays County C
111 N. Guadalupe St., San Marcos, TXThe McKie-Bass Building is the only commercial building in San Marcos that has retained its cast-iron front. Other features are well preserved, making it one of the outstanding 19th-century structures of the courthouse square.
W.R. and Daniel McKie and their sister Jennie McKie Hutchins erected the building in 1893 as an investment. B. Daily operated a grocery there in 1895. C.T. Bass of Georgetown purchased in 1904 and, with his son, Charles H., operated a drugstore until about 1926. For a while, the second floor was used for the Bass family apartment. Bass served the area as a state senator. The building changed hands and functions in 1944 when W.D. Talmadge bought it for his hardware business. Presently the Hays County Abstract Company owns and occupies the structure.
W.R. and Daniel McKie and their sister Jennie McKie Hutchins erected the building in 1893 as an investment. B. Daily operated a grocery there in 1895. C.T. Bass of Georgetown purchased in 1904 and, with his son, Charles H., operated a drugstore until about 1926. For a while, the second floor was used for the Bass family apartment. Bass served the area as a state senator. The building changed hands and functions in 1944 when W.D. Talmadge bought it for his hardware business. Presently the Hays County Abstract Company owns and occupies the structure.
Bibliography
Zeb H. Fitzgerald, an unpublished narrative written March 29, 1982. On file at the San Marcos Public Library.
San Marcos Record, November 1, 1935.
Interview with Zeb Fitzgerald, April 6, 1982.
San Marcos Record, November 1, 1935.
Interview with Zeb Fitzgerald, April 6, 1982.
Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1983.
About National Register Listings
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.
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About Hays County
Hays County Timeline
Hays County, located in the central part of Texas, has a rich and diverse history that stretches back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by various indigenous tribes, including the Tonkawa and Comanche peoples. However, the first recorded European arrival in the region occurred in 1690 when Spanish explorers made their way through the area.
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.
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 concise overview of the key events in the history 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.