Moab Community
MOAB COMMUNITY
SITUATED ABOUT TEN MILES SOUTHWEST OF LEXINGTON, THE COMMUNITY OF MOAB WAS A PREDOMINATELY AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY. THERE ARE INDICATIONS THAT THE AREA WAS WELL POPULATED BEFORE THE CIVIL WAR BUT BECAME MORE SO FOLLOWING EMANCIPATION. MANY “FREEDOM COLONIES” FORMED IN LEE COUNTY AFTER THE CIVIL WAR AND BEGAN NEW BLACK LANDOWNER COMMUNITIES. MOAB WAS MOSTLY A COMMUNITY OF FARMERS WHO WERE DEPENDENT UPON INCOME FROM CROPS. TO SUPPLEMENT THEIR INCOME, FAMILIES WOULD GO ON “COTTON PICKS” AND FOLLOW COTTON HARVESTING THROUGHOUT TEXAS AND PARTS OF NEW MEXICO. FOR FOOD, FAMILIES HARVESTED PEANUTS, CORN AND OTHER VEGETABLES AND RAISED HOGS, CATTLE, CHICKENS AND TURKEYS.
A COMMUNITY SCHOOL OPENED AROUND 1900 AND, BY THE 1930s, THE SETTLEMENT HAD THE SCHOOL, TWO CHURCHES, A CEMETERY, POST OFFICE AND A NUMBER OF SCATTERED DWELLINGS. ACCORDING TO A 1935 BOARD OF EDUCATION SURVEY, MOAB’S SCHOOL EMPLOYED TWO TEACHERS WITH FORTY-EIGHT STUDENTS ENROLLED IN GRADES ONE TO TEN. THE SCHOOL BURNED IN THE LATE 1930s BUT WAS REBUILT ONE YEAR LATER. DURING THE INTERIM, THE SCHOOL WAS HOUSED IN THE METHODIST CHURCH. TWO CHURCHES EXISTED IN THE MOAB COMMUNITY. MOUNT ZION BAPTIST CHURCH WAS LED BY REV. PERSON FROM THE 1930s TO THE 1960s AND THE CHURCH HAD OVER 50 MEMBERS AT ITS PEAK. THE BAPTIST CHURCH BURNED IN THE 1960s AND WAS NOT REBUILT. MT. NEBO AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH IS THE ONLY CHURCH THAT REMAINS IN THE COMMUNITY. EACH YEAR, SPECIAL PROGRAMS BRING DESCENDANTS BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY. THIS ONCE-THRIVING COMMUNITY REPRESENTS A TRIUMPH IN KINSHIP AND PERSEVERANCE, AND THE BEGINNINGS OF A PEOPLE AFTER SLAVERY
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.
Texas has been a major oil-producing state for over a century. The first big oil discovery in Texas was the Spindletop field near Beaumont in 1901, which set off a massive oil boom that transformed the state's economy and made Texas one of the wealthiest states in the country.
During its early years, Lee County experienced significant growth and development. The arrival of the railroad in the late 1800s opened up new opportunities for trade and transportation. The county became known for its cotton production, and many rural communities emerged to support the farming industry. The county seat, Giddings, became a thriving commercial center, with businesses and institutions establishing themselves to meet the needs of the growing population.
The 20th century brought both challenges and progress to Lee County. The devastating effects of the Great Depression hit the agricultural sector hard, leading to a decline in cotton farming. However, the county adapted and diversified its economy, venturing into cattle ranching and the production of other crops. In the mid-20th century, the discovery of oil and natural gas reserves in the area brought a new wave of economic growth.
Lee County has also played a significant role in Texas history. It is home to the Monument Hill and Kreische Brewery State Historic Sites, which commemorate the fallen soldiers of the Dawson Massacre and the Texas Revolution. Today, Lee County continues to be a rural and historically significant part of Texas, with a strong sense of community and a blend of diverse cultural influences.
Lee County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Lee County, Texas.
- 1874: Lee County is established on February 11, named after Robert E. Lee.
- 1878: The town of Giddings is established as the county seat.
- 1881: The Texas and New Orleans Railroad is completed, leading to increased economic growth in the county.
- 1907: Lee County Courthouse is built, replacing the original courthouse constructed in 1878.
- 1920s: Cotton becomes a major crop for the county, leading to prosperous years for local farmers.
- 1960s: The decline of cotton production begins, and farmers shift to other crops and livestock.
- 1996: The Lee County Youth Center is opened to provide juvenile offenders with rehabilitative services.
- 2011: The county is severely affected by drought and wildfires, causing significant damage to agricultural lands.
- Present: Lee County continues to be primarily an agricultural area, with a growing emphasis on diversifying the local economy.