USA > Texas > Bastrop County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.1 > Part 29
USA > Texas > Travis County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.1 > Part 29
USA > Texas > Burleson County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.1 > Part 29
USA > Texas > Lee County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.1 > Part 29
USA > Texas > Williamson County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.1 > Part 29
USA > Texas > Milam County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.1 > Part 29
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Nacogdoches
Apr.
11, 1846 JJuly 13, 1816
957 Tyler.
28 .: 97
Somervell.
Alexander Somervell
Hood
Mir.
13, 1875 Apr. 12, 1975
3.411
Starr
James 11. Starr ..
Nueces
Feh.
10, 1848 Ang. 7,1818
1,935
Sterling
Sterling Creek
Tom Green
Mar.
4, 1891 June 3, 1891 900 Sterling City. 900 Raynor.
1,045
Sulton Lient. Col. Sutton, of C. S. A. Crockett
Apr.
1, 1887 Nov. 4. 1890 1,500 Senora,
Swisher lames G. Swisher.
Bexar
Ang. 21, 1876 Nov. 11, 1890 900 Tulia
Tarrant E. H. Tarrant.
Navarro.
Dec, 20, 1819|Ang. 5, 1850
900 Fort Worth.
140,853
Ang.
21, 1876 JJune 13, 1889
910 Coldwater.
:24
199 Gien Rose.
2,544 Rio Grande
10.040
Stephens.
Alexander H. Stephens
Bosque
Jan.
22, 1858 1876
Stonewall.
Gen'l. T. J. (Stonewall) Jaek- Fannin ron.
Ang. 21, 1876 Dec. 20, 1888
900|Weatherford .. 858 Unorganized
7,470 Ft. Stockon 1,807
Polk
lamer K. Polk
Liberty
21, 1867 Sept. 6, 1887
150
Presidio. Rains.
Emory Rains ..
Wood. Ilunt and Hopkins
June 9, 1870 Dec. 1, 1870
900 Canyon. 187
1,585
Refugio Roberts
Jolin S. Roberts
Bexar
Ang. 21, 1876 Jan. 10, 1889
150 Roek wall .. 5.817
Runnels.
Governor 11. R. Runnels.
Bexar and Travis
Feb.
1, 1858 Feb). 16, 1880
San Jacinto ..
Battlefield of San Jacinto. ...
Polk, Liberty, Walker and Montgomery.
Ang. 13, 1870 Dec. 1,18:0
910Albany.
802|Center. 14,241
Bexar
Smith.
Presidio del Norte
Bexar
JAN.
Ang. 27, 1856 Apr. 27, 1837
968 Palo Pinto. 8.319
Palo l'into.
Palo Pinto River
Bosque and Navarro Harrison and Shelby
Mar. 30, 1846 Sept. - , 1846
974 Nacogdoches .. 1,055 Corsicana 875 Newton.
4.645
900!Sweet Water .. 2,815 Corpne Christi 910 Ochiltree ...
8,089
198
1,477 Thecosa 396 Orange
1,109, Livingston 900| Amarillo.
Municipality of Refugio
Original
Morris.
W. W. Morris ...
l'itus
Mar 13, 1875 May 12, 18.5 2667 Daingerfield .. 1,0015 Matador.
1.117, Oakville.
2.163
1.laoo
Liuno : iver ...
G. W. Lyon ..
Bexar .. Ang. 21, 1876 L'uorganized ;
Feb. 2, 1836 Any.
4, 18 6.
1.17 . Liberty
1,999
Limestone
Limestone outcrops
Robertson
1,361 Goldthwaite. 5,461
Mitchell
Two brothers, A. and E. Mitel. Bexar .
ell
Nacogdoches tribe of Indians. lose Antonio Navarro
25.807
Mar. 50, 1846 July
County Seat.
1.500 Unorganized .. 1.131 San Saba.
900 Breckenridge ..
209
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Counties.
Named for-
Counties Created from.
When Created.
When Organized.
Area in
Square Miles.
Population
in 1890.
Taylor
A family by name of Taylor.
Bexar and Travis
Feb. 1, 1858 July 3. 18 8
900 Abilene.
6,94G
Terry
Frank Terry ..
Bexar .
Aug. 21, 1876 Unorganized
900 t'norganized
Throckmorton.
Dr. William E. Throckmorton.
Fannin and Bosque
Jan. 13, 1858 Mar. 18, 1879
"(0,Throckmorton .:
420 Alt. Pleasant .. 8,189
Tom Green.
General Tom Green.
Bexar.
Mar. 13, 1:74 Jan.
5, 1875
3,548 San Angelo .... 1 5,133
'Travis
William B. Travis.
Bastrop
Jan.
20, 1810, Spr. 8, 1813
1,019; Austin
36,193
Trinity
Trinity River ....
Monston.
Feb. 11, 1850 Apr.
1, 1850
208 Groveton. .
10,566
Tyler
John Tyler.
Liberty
Apr.
3, 1846 July
13, 1846
519 Gilmer
12,659
L'valde
Jose Uvalde.
Bexar
Feb).
8, 1850 Apr. 21, 186
2, 1885
3,23( Del bio .. 840, Canton.
16,234
Victoria
Municipality of Victoria
Original
1836
1837
¿83, Victoria 8,555
Walker
Robert J. Walker
Montgomery ..
Apr.
4, 1846 July
13, 18461
768| Huntsville ..
:12,911
Waller ...
Edwin Waller
Grimes and Anetin.
Apr.
23, 1873| Ang.
16. 1873
490 Ilempstead.
.: 10,57℃
Ward
Thomas W. Ward.
Tom Green
Feb.
26, 1887 Unorganized 1836 1837
603 Brenham.
28.60]
Webb ..
James Webb ..
Bexar and San Patricio
Jan. 28, 1848 Mar. 16, 1848
1,552 Laredo
16,553
Wharton
W. H. and J. A. Wharton'
Matagorda, Colorado, Jack- son.
Apr.
3, 1846 July 13, 1816
1,172 Wharton
7,536
Wheeler
Judge Royall T. Wheeler
Bexar and Fannit
Apr.
21, 1876 Apr. 12, 1879
900 Mobeetie.
Wichita
Wichita River.
Young Land District
Feb.
1, 1858/June 21, 188!
559 Wichita Fallo ..
4,831
Wilbarger
Wilbarger family.
Bexar
Feb.
1, 1858 Oct.
10, 1:81
937;Vernon.
7,072
Williamson
R. M. Williamson.
Milan .
Mar.
13, 1818|Ang.
7,1848
Wilson
James C. Wilson.
Bexar and Karnes.
Feb.
13, 1860 Ang.
6, 1860
755 Floresville.
10,651
Winkler.
Judge C. M. Winkler.
Tom Green Cooke
Jan.
23, 1856 May
5, 1856
900 Decatur
24,133
Wood
George 1. Wood ..
Van Zandt.
Feb.
5, 1850 Ang.
5, 1850
702 Quitman ..
13,928
Yoakum
Henderson Yoakum
Bexar
Ang. 21, 1876 Unorganized
825 Unorganized
Young
William Cooke Young.
Fannin and Bosque.
Feb.
2, 1856 Apr. 17, 1871
900,Graham
5,044
Zapata
Zapata, a Mexican patriot
Starr and Wehh.
Jau.
22, 1858| Apr. 26, 1858
1,291 |Carrizo ..
3,636
Zavala
Lorenzo de Zavala ..
Uvalde and Maverick
Feb.
1, 1858 Feb. 25, 1884 -
1,290 Batesville
1,096
1
SUMMARY OF TOTALS
COUNTIES.
1888.
1699.
1890.
Total number counties in State.
245
245
247
Total number organized counties
200
200
19
Total number unorganized conuties.
45
40
28
1
AREA AND POPULATION.
Total square miles territory.
274,346
Population, United States census 1880.
1,591,740
Population, United States census 1890
2, 235.523
Increase in population sinee 1880.
643.774
Percentage of gain sinee 1880.
40.14
Relative rank in population.
Density of population per square mile
8.8
Apr.
27, 1846 July 13, 1846
Upton
John and W. F. Uptor
Nacogdoches and Harrison Tom Green.
Feb.
26, 1:87 Unorganized
1,548: Uvalde
3,802
Val Verde ..
Relative location,
Kinney, Crockett and Pecos Henderson.
Mar.
24, 1885 May
Van Zandt.
Isaac Van Zandt
Mar.
20, 1848, Ang.
7, 1818
>55 Unorganized
Washington
Municipality of Washington .. Original
1,197 Georgetown. 25,883
Wise.
Henry A. Wise ..
Feb. 26, 1887-Unorganized
837 Unorganized
l'pshur
Abel P. Upshur.
1,197 Unorganized
2,860
An old settler.
Red River and Bosque.
May 11, 1846 Inty 13, 1816
918 Woodvilte. . 10,681
County Seat.
The population of Texas in 1835 is estimated at 50,000; 1845, 150,000; 1850 cenens, 212,592; 1860, 601.039; 18:0, 818,579. During the decade 1880 to 1890, Texas advaneed in population, in point of rank, from the eleventh to the seventh among the States of the Union.
210
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
CITIES AND PRINCIPAL TOWNS.
Abilene, with a population of 4,300, is situated on the Texas & Pacific Railroad, 160 miles west of Fort Worth, and at about the center of the "Abilene country." Its esti- mated trade for 1891 was about $1,800,000, the average freight receipts at the depot being about $22,000 per month. During the year 1890 nineteen brick business houses were erected. There are three national banks, with an aggregate capital and surplus of $375,000, and the city has also water-works, electric lights, ice factory, etc.
Austin, the capital of the State, is located near the geographical center of Travis county. Its topography is distinctively unique, having in general the grade of an inclined plane broken by superficial waves, which seem from their regularity to be the work of art rather than the formation of nature. It is located at the foot of a range of mountains and possesses all local advantages that the most refined taste could desire. In sight of the city and a short distance from it Mount Barker and Mount Bonnell lift their tower- ing heads-the former to an altitude of 398, and the latter 372 feet above the streets of the city. At the entrance of a fertile plain, on the banks of a beautiful stream, it unites the convenience of a commercial town with the romantic beauty of a spot admired by all for its pre-eminent loveliness. Its environ- ments present every shade of refined beauty and cultivated elegance. Austin is regarded by general consent as the most beautifully located city in the State. The site was selected by a committee appointed by Presi- dent Lamar in 1839 to locate a permanent seat of goverment. It was known at that time as the hamlet of Waterloo, and bad a
population consisting of three families. What an enchanting picture must have presented itself to the committee! Ilere was a combi- nation of charms that delighted the senses, embracing the majesty of mountain scenery; the spreading prairie, the lofty forest, the charming valleys and bounding streams.
The city was splendidly laid out with broad and imposing avennes, which received their names from the forest trees and streams of the State. Its corporate limits embrace an area of sixteen and three-tenthis square miles. It has an efficient electric street rail- way system, with its ramifications reaching the principal points of interest. It has also a. dummy line in successful operation, ex- tending to the dam. The illumination by gas and electricity gives the place an air of convenience and security.
Austin has greatly increased in population during the past few years. In 1880 the population, according to the United States census, was 11,013; in 1891 it was 25,000. The assessed values of property during the same period increased from $5,044,224 to $10,514,088.
The population comprises some of the most enterprising and energetic as well as the most conservative to be found in the State. As a result of this Austin is a beauti .. ful city, abundantly provided with every con- venience which has been called into being by the wants of man.
While Austin is not yet distinctively a manufacturing city, recent investigations showing its possibilities as a manufacturing center, and the proximity of valuable build- ing stone and an abundance of clay for brick- making near at hand, have encouraged im- provements of all kinds, and a general feeling of confidence for the city's future prevails.
In 1890 the tax-paying voters of the city
211
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
decided at the polls by a majority of twenty- seven to one to issue bonds for $1,400,000, for the purpose of erecting an enormous dam across the Colorado river and the building of a complete system of water and electric light works, to be owned and controlled by the rity.
The work on the dam was begun in No- vember, 1890, and was completed in 1893. It is an immense granite structure, 1,150 feet long and 60 feet above the ordinary low-water level of the river. Total cost of the dam, $607,928, and the city water and electric plants in connection raise the total cost to abont $1,400,000. It furnishes 14,500-horse power, of which the city has abont 4,500, leav- ing 10,000-horse power that can be ntil- ized for manufacturing purposes. It is the largest improved water-power, except one, in the United States. The lake formed by the building of the dam is another attractive feature of the city. It extends thirty miles up the river, and the scenery along its shores is of the most romantic and picturesque character, nusurpassed in America. A large excursion steamer navigates the lake, and Anstin is destined to become a great pleasure resort. One of the most lovely sites on the lake, abont four miles above the dam, has been laid ont for extensive Chantanqna grounds. It is owned by an association of well known, enterprising citizens and edu- cators, chartered by the State. A large per- manent high school, for advanced education, is established at the Chantangna grounds. The site commands a magnificent view of lake and mountain scenery, and the Capital City can be plainly seen in the distance.
Anstin offers many superior advantages for manufacturing enterprises, and her in- dustrial enterprises, although comparatively small. are increasing with every year by the
1
location of new establishments. A baking- powder factory and creamery are among the most recent assured additions to the manu- facturing interests of the city.
The Houston & Texas Central, the Inter- national & Great Northern, and the Austin & Northwestern railways run into the city. The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad also has arrangements by which its passenger trains run into the city. It is the terminns of the Houston & Texas Central, and the headquarters of the Austin & Northwestern Railroads.
Estimated mercantile transactions in 1891: Dry goods, $1,500.000; groceries, $2,500,- 000; hardware, $800,000; jewelry, $750,- 000; Inmber, $1,200,000; agricultural im- plements, $800,000; furniture, $1,000,000; produce, eggs, chickens, etc., $250,000; mis- cellaneons, $2,000,000. Produce, etc., han- dled in 1891: Cotton, 16,000 bales; wool, 2,500,000 pounds; hides, 1,200,000 pounds; cotton seed, 10,000 tons; corn, 100,000 bushels; wheat, 10,000 bushels; live-stock, 5,000 head; valne of all other prodnets, $100,000.
Bank exchange in 1891 amounted to $11,- 000,000.
The real type of Texas civilization ex- pressed itself at an early date after annexa- tion in the establishment of three grand asylums-one for the blind, one for the deaf and dumb, and one for the insane. The cost to the State in the establishment and mainte- nance of these benevolent institutions has been and still is a heavy draft upon the treasury. While they are sustained by direct taxation, they are the State's channels of con- tinnous aid to the unfortunate among the people. They are objects of general in- terest, and frequent entertainments given by them draw large crowds and furnish occa-
£
219
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
sions of much instruction and amusement. An asylum for the deaf and dumb and blind of the colored race has also been established near the city.
The Travis county courthouse, constructed ont of limestone having a marble-like ap- pearance, and symmetrically proportioned to its surroundings, occupies an attractive and commanding place to the public eye. It is a costly building, having the appointments of convenience suggested by modern experience, and is located near the southeast corner of Capitol square and frouting Congress avenne.
The land office, situated in the east edge of Capitol square, is an imposing edifice adapted to the large business of the land commis- sioner, an officer of State. The governor's mansion is eligibly located on an elevated site southwest of Capitol square and in full view of the new capitol.
The United States building for post office and other governmental purposes, situated ou the corner of Colorado and Sixth street (for- merly Pecan street), is a handsome structure, every way in harmony with the greatness of the country and the magnificence of the city.
The University of the State of Texas is domiciled in an imposing building on College Hill, in the northern portion of the city. The growing patronage of this institution, its increasing matriculation during the brief period of its existence, and the thorough scholarship required in graduation, success- fully advertise the work that is being done.
In this connection it is noted with pride the Confederate Home, an eleemosynary in- stitution for the purpose indicated in the title. It is situated in the western part of the city, comprising a beautiful tract of land upon which is constructed an elegant and cominodions building. The scope of its de- sigu is to provide a home for the unfortunate
soldier having served in the Confederate army. It was conceived in the purest patri- otism and noblest philanthropy, and although yonng in its mission of mercy it is rapidly approximating the ideal created for it by the divinest sentiments that ever dominate the human heart.
The Travelers' Protective Association of America has selected Austin for the location of their National Sanitarinm, where the com- mercial travelers of the entire Union may spend their vacations. A beautiful site in the eastern part of the city, embracing some thirty acres on the line of the A'nstin & Northwestern Railroad, has been donated to the association, and buildings in keeping with the well known liberality of the traveling inen will soon be erected thereon.
Anstin has one of the best school systems in the State, and had a scholastic population in 1890 of 4,004, and gave employment to sixty teachers.
Brenham, the county seat of Washington county, is a flourishing commercial place of 7,000 inhabitants. It is located at the inter- section of the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe division of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe. and the Houston & Texas Central division of the Southern Pacific systems of railway. The town is beautiful and most pleasantly located, and surrounded by a very fine farm- ing country in a high state of enltivation, and much valuable timber yet remains in the county. The town is well built and supplied with many costly public buildings and hand- some residences.
As a commercial and manufacturing center, few places of its size possess greater advant- ages. in both of which it is steadily increasing.
The estimated mercantile transactions for 1890 amounted to abont $4.385,000. Bank capital, $400,000,
213
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
There are in that city eleven churches, with an estimated membership of 3,200, and there are twenty lodges.
Brownsville, the county seat of Cameron connty, is sitnated in the sonthwestern part of the county, on the Rio Grande, abont thirty miles above its month, and directly opposite the Mexican city of Matamoras. It has a large trade with the numerons small towns along the Rio Grande for a distance of 400 miles, the extent of steamboat naviga- tion. It has commercial relations with the gulf ports, both by the way of the month of the Rio Grande and the port of Brazos de Santiago, with which it is connected by the Rio Grande Railroad.
Population in 1890, 6,020. Assessed valne of property, $886,215 in 1880, and in 1891 $1,126,136.
Bryan, in Brazos county, had a population in 1890 of 3,869, and an assessed valnation of $1,376,000.
All the church buildings are nice, hand- some structures.
Burnet, the capital of Burnet connty, is sitnated abont the center of the county, on the Austin & Northwestern Railway, and surrounded by picturesque scenery. It has a good trade, and is specially a wool and live- stock market. Assessed valne of all property in 1891, $543,135.
Cleburne, the seat of government for Jolm- son connty, is located near the center of the county, on the edge of the Lower Cross Tim- bers, fifty-two miles from Dallas and twenty- eight from Fort Worth. It is on the main line of the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Rail- road, and is the location of the shops of that road, and also has a railroad direct to Dallas and to Weatherford. It is situated in the ; midst of a fine agricultural and stock-raising district, as well as horticultural. It is the
largest shipping point on its line between Galveston and Dallas or Fort Worth.
Assessed valuation of property in 1891, $1,509,750.
Besides an excellent system of public schools there is a seminary of high standing and several smaller private schools.
Cuero, the county seat of De Witt county. had in 1890 a population of 3,079, and is a growing town, doing considerable business.
Dallas is situated on the Trinity river near the center of the county. It is a city of great push and energy. It has grown from a village of 10,358 inhabitants in 1880 to a population of 38,140 in 1890. The assessed valnes show a similar ratio of increase, hav- ing increased from $3,420,045 in 1880 to $32,098,950 in 1890. The population given here includes Dallas with all its suburbs.
The period in the history of Dallas has been reached when its future is no longer doubtful. Its natural advantages make it a rival of the most prosperons cities of the South in progressiveness and commercial im- portance. It is situated in the midst of the great grain belt of the State, and the many new enterprises inangurated during the past few years are only keeping pace with the general expansion going on. In point of agricultural surroundings and manufacturing and commercial importance it is inferior to no city in the State. The past year has been a very prosperous one for Dallas. The num- ber of public buildings and private residences constructed are said to be greater than that of any other city in the State.
Dallas has fine railroad facilities for mar- keting its manufactured products. The fol- lowing railroads run into the city: The Texas & Pacific, the Dallas & Wichita, the Honstou & Texas Central, the Missouri Pacific, the Texas Trunk, the Gulf. Colorado
914
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
& Santa Fe. the Dallas & Waco, and the Dallas, Sontheastern & Pacific, about com- pleted -- thus making Dallas one of the great railroad centers of the State. It has sixteen miles of rapid-transit railroad, and abont this mileage under construction; twenty-six miles of electric street railroad, and several miles being constructed. The business streets and many miles of residence streets are paved with bois d'arc.
A careful estimate of the volume of trade for 1890 gives the total of mercantile trans- actions $26,097,000. The city has seven large flouring mills, ten banks, etc. There was spent in 1888 $2,750,000 in building operations and public improvements.
The State Fair and Dallas Exposition, which is the outgrowth of the consolidation of the Dallas State Fair and Exposition and the Texas State Fair is located at Dallas, with a capital of $250,000. It is situated abont two miles from the courthouse and has a rapid-transit electric and railroad lines run- ning to the grounds. The grounds cover an area of 120 acres, which, with all improve- ments, cost $177,000. It is one of Dallas' inost successful enterprises, as exhibited by the receipts and expenses for 1888-receipts $110,000, expenses $80,000.
The Federal District and Circuit Court for the Northern District of Texas is also located liere.
The receipts of the Dallas post-office for the years 1888 and 1889, for example, very largely increased, and give an idea of the varied growth of postal business. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 1888, $63,305 .- 26; for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, $79,414.23.
Denison is a flourishing town of Grayson county, on the Houston & Texas Central Railway and is the southern terminus of the
great Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway. It is three miles south of Red river. The population now is 11,000, and the place is rapidly improving. It is one of the most important places in northern Texas.
Denton, the county seat of Denton county, is thirty-five miles northwest of the city of Dallas by the line of the Dallas & Wichita Railroad, which has its terminns at Denton. It is situated about the center of the county. on the Transcontinental division of the Texas & Pacific Railroad.
It has a population of 3,129, with property assessed at about $1,000,000. Ilas two national banks, with a paid np capital of $110,000; two flonring mills, representing an invested capital of $100,000; an ice factory, marble works, two brick factories, two pot- teries, and several other mannfacturing establishments.
Estimated mercantile transactions in 1890, $810,000. There were expended in 1890 $25,000 in public improvements.
Fort Worth, the county seat of Tarrant county, is situated near the center of the county, on a high platean overlooking the Trinity river. It is vigorous and enterpris- ing, and is a success as a commercial and manufacturing point. Its growth has been steady and uniform. Fort Worth has long been the distributing point for the live-stock trade of the northwest; and to this is now added the enormous grain trade of the lately opened region of northwestern Texas known as the "Panhandle."
In 1876 it had a population of 1,123, and that year the Texas & Pacific Railroad was built to it. The increase in population and wealth was thenceforward very marked. The United States census for 1890 gave a popula- tion of 22,700; that of 1891, estimated at (city directory) 32,000.
213
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
The assessed values in 1880 were $1,992,- 891, and in 1890 $21,306,785.
Fort Worth is situated in the northern portion of the central artesian water belt of the State. and has within its limits abont 300 · artesian wells, which supply water to both public and private enterprises. These wells vary in depth from 114 to 1,140 feet. The first well was dng in 1879 and there is no diminution from the water flow. The deep- est wells are the strong-flowing ones. The water from these wells in most instances is wholesome, and is used for drinking and domestic purposes.
Manufacturing establishments now in oper- ation are testimonies of Fort Worth's pros- perity. They indicate what is in store for a city with such enterprise and financial back- ing as is possessed by Fort Worth.
The city has 110 miles of graded and graveled streets, sixty miles of sewer, fifty- nine miles of electric street railway, is copiously lighted by electricity, and has seven- teen churches, models of architecture. It has seven national banks, with a combined capi- tal of $5,000,000. Amount expended in 1890 in building operations and public ini- provements, $2,112,000.
-
Fort Worth is a great railroad center, the the following lines entering the place: Texas & Pacitie, St. Louis, Arkansas & Texas, Fort Worth & Rio Grande, Fort Worth & Denver City, Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe, Missouri, Kansas & Texas and the Fort Worth & New Orleans. The shops of the Fort Worth & Denver City, the Texas & Pacific and Fort Worth & Rio Grande Railroad Companies are located here.
The mercantile transactions for 1890 were estimated at about $14.000.000
Galveston, the capital of Galveston county and chief seaport in the State, is situated on the extreme northeast end of Galveston island, at the month of the bay of the same name. It was laid out in 1838. The first sale of town lots took place April 20 of that year.
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