Rogersville
Historical marker location:NOTED FOR BEING HUNTSVILLE’S OLDEST AFRICAN-AMERICAN NEIGHBORHOOD, ROGERSVILLE IS ROUGHLY SITUATED BETWEEN 7TH AND 10TH STREETS AND OLD MADISONVILLE ROAD AND AVENUE N. MICAJAH C. ROGERS, HUNTSVILLE’S FIRST MAYOR, ORIGINALLY OWNED MOST OF THE LAND AND BEGAN SELLING IT AFTER THE CIVIL WAR. ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT CERTAIN WHETHER ROGERSVILLE WAS MEANT TO BE AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN NEIGHBORHOOD, ROGERS SOLD AT LEAST SIX TRACTS OF LAND TO FORMER SLAVES IN 1866 ALONG WHAT IS TODAY 10TH STREET. AMONG THE NEW LANDOWNERS WAS JOSHUA HOUSTON, SAM HOUSTON’S FORMER BODY SERVANT. BY BUYING PROPERTY, BUILDING HOMES, AND ESTABLISHING BUSINESSES, INCLUDING A WAGON YARD, BLACKSMITH, CARPENTRY SHOP, BARBER AND BEAUTY SHOPS, CAFES AND OTHER STORES, RESIDENTS CONFIRMED THEIR NEW INDEPENDENCE WHILE HOLDING A STAKE IN THE COMMUNITY.
CHURCHES WERE CENTRAL TO ROGERSVILLE, REFLECTING THE FREEDOMS TO WORSHIP AND TO GATHER PREVIOUSLY DENIED TO AFRICAN-AMERICANS. IN PARTICULAR, FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, ESTABLISHED BY “MOTHER” SARAH ROLLING AND REV. J.J. RHINEHARDT, STRENGTHENED COMMUNITY IDENTITY. NEIGHBORHOOD CHURCHES ALSO OFTEN SERVED AS SCHOOLS, WHERE STUDENTS AND FAMILIES LEARNED TO READ AND WRITE AND CONTINUED TO GAIN EDUCATION. IN 1890, AFTER FACING SOME CHALLENGES, JOSHUA HOUSTON AND OTHERS PREVAILED IN CONSTRUCTING A NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL. HIS SON, NOTED EDUCATOR SAMUEL WALKER HOUSTON, GREW UP HERE AND ESTABLISHED THE SAM HOUSTON INDUSTRIAL TRAINING SCHOOL AT GALILEE. ROGERSVILLE BECAME THE SITE FOR THE ANNUAL JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION, THE MAJOR SOCIAL EVENT FOR HUNTSVILLE’S AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY. OVERALL, ROGERSVILLE’S ESTABLISHMENTS HAVE EXTENDED ECONOMIC, EDUCATIONAL, AND CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES TO ALL WALKER COUNTY CITIZENS
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.
The city of Austin, the state capital, is known as the live music capital of the world. It is home to many music festivals, including South by Southwest (SXSW) and the Austin City Limits Music Festival.
In 1836, Walker County was officially established and named after Samuel Hamilton Walker, a Texas Ranger captain who died in the Mexican-American War. The county became a hub for trade and commerce, with the town of Huntsville serving as the county seat. The early residents engaged in farming, ranching, and timber industries, which became the backbone of the local economy.
During the Civil War, Walker County played a significant role as a major supplier of food and provisions to the Confederate army. However, the county also faced its share of hardships, including raids by Union troops and the devastation caused by the war. After the war, Walker County experienced a period of reconstruction and gradual recovery.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Walker County saw significant progress and development. The expansion of railroads brought new opportunities for trade and transportation, and the discovery of oil in the early 1900s further boosted the local economy. In recent decades, Walker County has continued to grow and evolve, embracing modern industries while preserving its unique heritage and natural beauty. Today, the county is known for its thriving educational institutions, correctional facilities, and vibrant community.
Walker County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Walker County, Texas.
- 1836: Walker County is established
- 1846: Huntsville becomes the county seat
- 1861: Walker County residents vote for secession from the Union
- 1870: The Houston and Great Northern Railroad reaches Huntsville
- 1900: The town of New Waverly is incorporated
- 1936: Sam Houston State Teachers College is established
- 1965: The Texas Department of Corrections is established in Huntsville
- 1970: San Jacinto Mall opens in Baytown
- 1999: The City of Huntsville celebrates its 150th anniversary
- 2007: The Texas Department of Criminal Justice moves its headquarters to Huntsville