Wilson County Historical Society

Talk of Wilson County TX Historic Towns

by Barbara J. Wood

FACTS

IT'S A FACT

Glenn West "guessed" correctly with the city of La Vernia. La Vernia, Texas, is an incorporated city in Wilson County, Texas, officially becoming a city May 21, 1966, though it was a community and settlement long before, growing from a post office in the 1850s into a small town with businesses and schools.

IT'S A FACT

Zach Rogers chose the correct answer of "La Vernia"! While the prominent "La Vernia" is a well-known town in Wilson County, Texas, near San Antonio, it's possible other small, unincorporated places or historical locales share the name; however, the primary and most recognized "La Vernia" is in Texas, located off US-87 and FM 775, known for its community feel and proximity to San Antonio.
Many others named several other good choices in Dewees & Denhawken.

IT'S A FACT

UPDATE: Historian Allen Kosub adds, " I believe Sharn Barnett is correct. It was Byrd Lockhart who laid out the Old Gonzales Road. https://losttexasroads.com/gonzales-road/gonzales-road-history/gonzales-road-lockhart-deaf-lavernia-vernia/ Deaf Smith is related to the road due to his ownership of the survey immediately east of the Cibolo Crossing where he climbed the legendary "Deaf Smith Oak" to spy on Mexican troops."

*Randall Tyree answered correctly with "Deaf" Smith. In 1832, Erastus "Deaf" Smith, with the authority of the Mexican administration in San Antonio, laid out a road from San Antonio to Gonzales. With that act, he unknowingly gave Texas a historic treasure and simultaneously created what would become the northern boundary of Wilson County.

The road followed a direct course that incorporated trails used by game, Indians, cattle, and Mexican rancheros. It crossed the Cibolo below the Martinez and connected to Alameda Street, the main street in San Antonio (today Commerce Street).

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Courtesy/ Lost Texas Roads

IT'S A FACT

Sheila Cantrell & Paula Wake guessed correctly with "Lily Grove". Dawn Burrier Johnson adds " The old steps to the school are etched in my memory, and I can almost picture my dad milking cows at the dairy just across the way!"

IT'S A FACT

*Michael Santos , Hank Summers & Brandon Darr guessed correctly with Sutherland Springs.

The bridge was of iron and wood construction. It's spanned the Cibolo at the foot of County Avenue to simplify trade from within the San Antonio River Valley. They say that during the well-remembered flood of 1913, the bathhouse knocked off the end of it. It was reconstructed.

There are many memories of the old high water bridge with its loud creaking boards as vehicles traveled over it.The beloved old wooden bridge was replaced in 1958 when the Texas Department of Transportation built the concrete low water crossing and the Farm to Market Road 539. A 25 foot high concrete Bridge completed in 1995, replaced the low water Bridge.

Mark Johnson shared history on the iron bridge in Sutherland Springs Texas. "This bridge was on hwy 539 just out of Sutherland Springs. It was built but WPA employees about the same time as the bridge at intersection of US 97 and US 87 known to us as the Y. also built by WPA. Ed Johnson worked on the one at the Y. I, Mark Johnson, drove a motor grader across the one in Sutherland Springs after it had been condemned by the state engineers. I would walk across it going to school when we lived up town. There was a kid we knew that used to dive head first off that bridge. I don't recall the years these bridges were built. This one was taken down by Tony Margraf for the metal about the mid '60s sometime after low water bridge had been constructed. Tony was a welder. They lived off hwy 123 in the Alum Creek area. Part of the old bridge is still in the Cibolo because when Tony cut it down it fell in the river and he couldn't get it all out. There were several old bridges built like that. Some are still in existence as historical sites because of their design."

IT'S A FACT

James D Pavliska answered correctly with Sutherland Springs , Lodi, & Floresville. Mark Cameron answered correctly as well with Sutherland Springs twice; Lodi twice; Floresville is the 5th county seat.

According to the Wilson County Sesquicentennial 1860-2010 booklet, an article compiled by Maurine Liles reads abridged as:

"Wilson County Texas ....... was cut out of Bexar and Karnes counties by an act of the legislature on February 13. 1860. The county was organized, officers were elected, and Sutherland Springs was selected as the first county seat. In December 1867, the Wilson County seat was moved to Lodi. The county seat was moved back to Sutherland Springs briefly in March of 1871 but returned to
Lodi by October of that same year. Finally, in 1872, Floresville became the permanent county seat of Wilson County. "

IT'S A FACT

James D. Pavliska was correct with his answer of LABATT. A rural community, Labatt, located 6 miles northwest of Floresville between Lodi and Calaveras, had the majority of founding families as farmers and ranchers of Czech, German, and Mexican descent.

It's a Fact

The answer is "Doodlebug". By the 1940s you traveled on a 'doodlebug' or motor train.

IT'S A FACT

Paula Wake wasn't wrong with her answer as it was Calaveras. Calaveras Wilson County Texas... thrived as a brick manufacturing community from 1887 through 1925. Up to about 1882 or 1885 depending on the source, the name of the c o m m u n i t y was changed from Wright to Calaveras.

IT'S A FACT

*Frank Pennington commented "Poth" correctly first. Evelyn Frank added Poth, Hwy 181 and the plaza.

POTH TEXAS ... Photograph of the A.H. Poth Building in Poth, Texas that was built 1914. Two unknown people are standing at the entry door. An early model car is parked in front of the store. Several kegs are stacked at a side entrance.

IT'S A FACT

Kevin Koenning answered correctly with .. A. H. POTH. It's as well a fact that on August 26, 1901, a letter from Washington, D.C., was delivered to Arnold H. Poth announcing a post office would be established. The town site had been named "Poth, after the newcomer, Arnold Poth" appointing him the first postmaster. This day held a number of firsts for the town of Poth. The first baby, a boy named Jacob, was born to Arnold and Lena Poth. Poth also got its first telephone that same day.

IT'S A FACT

Owen Lowak answered correctly first with his remarks of "Dewees Brothers."
Steven Raabe added interesting facts, "John and Tom Dewees started buying land in 1870. In 1881 James Thornton became an equal partner in the ranch. The ranch was 90,680 acres in 1884. The next year it grew to 111,172 which included a combination of owned and leased land. On July 7, 1885 the ranch was partitioned between John Dewees (24,252 acres), Tom Dewees (45,192 acres) and their partner James Thornton (41,828 acres)."

IT'S A FACT

*Martin Poore answered correctly first!

Wilson County Texas ....... was cut out of Bexar and Karnes counties by an act of the legislature on February 13. 1860. The county was organized, officers were elected, and Sutherland Springs was selected as the first county seat. The county judge was called "chief justice." William Sutherland was the first chief justice. In 1866, the judge's title was changed to "county judge."

IT'S A FACT

Where is this building located & what was its purpose? (Answer both questions.) Mel Ware Soefje answered correctly that the building was located in Dewees & was Schneider's Store. Evelyn Raabe added interesting info that there was previously a cotton gin next to it and the Dewees School was across the road from it.

Which town/community in Wilson County, Texas is the oldest?

IT'S A FACT: The answer "Sutherland Springs" was correct by Paula Crane Bonham . According to the Handbook of Texas, Sutherland Springs founder Dr. John Sutherland Jr. had settled in the area in 1849 and had opened a stage stop and post office in his home in 1851.

Who initiated the Floresville Peanut Festival Association

Vicki Shannon Latka was correct in sharing a writeup naming Joe Sheehy.

The history of the peanut festival dates back to 1938 when the "Floresville Peanut Pow Wow" began. Intended as a method for promoting the region's farming community, the festival was designed to celebrate the impact that the peanut has had on the agriculture of Southwestern Texas. Organizers changed the name to "Floresville Peanut Festival" during planning sessions for the first festival.

The giant "Peanut" fact

James D. Pavliska was the first to post the name Joe Sheehy. The sign to the right of the statue states: "In loving memory of 'The Peanut King' Joe T. Sheehy who in 1916 experimented with peanut farming and introduced it as a viable crop to the farmers of Wilson County." The sign was placed by the descendants of Joe T. Sheehy. Mr. Sheehy resided in Sutherland Springs Texas near his peanut fields.

Who received a pearl-handled, silver-plated, engraved Colt .45 revolver in 1910?

IT'S A FACT: James Davenport was correct with the answer of Sheriff William Wright. The residents of Wilson County certainly were not pleased to have the sheriff (William Wright) they had elected eight times leave them, but they showed their gratitude for his service. In 1910 those in Sutherland Springs had given him a .45 caliber engraved Colt revolver with pearl grips. (Texas Ranger Captain William L. Wright written by Richard B. McCaslin)

Where was this photo taken in Wilson County?*

ANSWER: "Guarantee Furniture & Hardware Co." ..... is centered in the 1919 photograph of store fronts in Poth, Wilson County Texas. Centered in the photo to the left is Wm Eckel Store and to the right is Paul Braden Meat Market. Three men are standing on the porch of the hardware store. A white horse hook to wagon is in front of the Eckel store and the back of a wagon is in front of the meat market. A great photo! COURTESY/ The Portal to Texas History Wilson County Public Library

What was located at the site of several large natural ponds, which remained filled by water year-round to natural springs?

*Steven Raabe was correct in answering "Grass Ponds". Grass Pond Colony, Wilson County, Texas ...... was located at the site of several large natural ponds which remain filled by water year-round due to natural springs, it is located in the northern part of Wilson County, Texas, U.S. about five miles south of Sutherland Springs Wilson County Texas.

What freighting road was called the "Cart Trail"?

ITS A FACT: David Regan was correct in naming the historic road. The La Bahia road was developed by the Spanish Government as a military road connecting the two presidios, the Alamo and La Bahia.

Through time the road has been called by several different names. During the freighting days it was known as the Cart Trail. Parts of this road became an integral part of a freight route delivering goods between San Antonio and Indianola Bay.

The city of Floresville actually situated on pasturelands of what mission?

IT'S A FACT: Nancy De La Zerda, local historian, says, "City of Floresville is actually situated on pasturelands of Mission Rancho Pataguilla. No other city in Tx has 2 Mission ranchos. (There are 5). There is one other in Wilson County: Mission Rancho El Paistle, in the Sutherland Springs area." Anthony Delgado answered correctly ... ( Administrator Note: The original question was to have been asking what "Ranch" with the answer being "Pataguilla")

What's the location of this artistic creation?

Paula Wake guessed correctly! Dino, the 5-foot cement dinosaur, was stolen along with other statues from the front yard of the house on Standish Street that once was owned by famed local sculptor Beatrice Valdez Ximenez.

Which building was the first brick building in Floresville? It was completed in 1888.

The first brick building in Floresville, was completed in 1888, of bricks hand made on the San Antonio River. It was the site of J. C. Merchant Super Market for many years. Izzy Moy guessed correctly first!

What Wilson County communitv produced probably more peace officers than any other community its size or much larger in Texas?

*IT'S A FACT: James D. Pavliska knew that Fairview's unique aspect is that it produced probably more peace officers than any other community its size or much larger in Texas. Many were Gillilands, Carneses, Webbs, Swifts, and Dials, to name a few.

What Wilson County town attempted unsuccessfully to have a bottling plant?

ANSWER: Sheila Cantrell was an early bird with the answer "Sutherland Springs".

"Sutherland Springs was an extremely popular resort and there was a claim that within a very small area there were over 100 separate sulphur springs. The main bathing areas were by the river (Cibolo Creek) and the one with darker water was called "black springs" and was reserved for men while women used the "white springs". One legend has it that the waters of the Black Springs never froze.

Attempts were made to bottle the water from Sutherland Springs and shares were sold; however no bottling plant ever materialized. The springs were popular with religious groups for holding revivals there and after 1917, the US Army contracted to have wounded soldiers from WWI recuperate there."

COURTESY/ TexasEscapes & TAKING THE WATERS

IN TEXAS Springs, Spas and Fountains of Youth by Janet Mace Valenza University of Texas Press 2000

Where in Wilson County was the United Daughters of the Confederacy Driveway Park?

Paula Wake answered "IT'S A FACT" correctly, "Downtown Floresville" & Connie Schraub Terry added, "I think I've read that it was on the C Street side of courthouse and that area was later made into the wide parking area on C Street."

Which teacherage was moved to a dairy in Western Wilson County in the mid 1950's?

It's a fact ... Steven Raabe guessed, Three Oaks, correctly. The Three Oaks teacherage was moved to the Harris (Haese) dairy on FM 541 in western Wilson County in the mid 1950's. It was used as a private residence for many years. It is still standing.

What ranch in Wilson County...?

ITS A FACT ... Brandon Darr answered correctly ... Rancho de las Cabras was the land where live stock was raised to feed the inhabitants of Mission San Francisco de la Espada; this rancho is now part of the National Parks System and a World Heritage Site.

The first high water bridge was in Sutherland Springs...

answered correctly by reader Wade Jarutowicz .

The wooden bridge was built in 1892.... it was rebuilt in 1913 after the flood and was built of iron and wood.... 1958 it was torn down and the low water bridge was built..... 1995 the new high water bridge was built.....

Power plant in Floresville

*ITS A FACT: June 19, 1915 at 7:30 p.m. was the date then Mayor S.V. Houston consented to press the button turning the lights on in the City of Floresville. The "Floresville Light and Power Company" would be the name of the new concern. The plant's proposed size would take care of a town twice the size of Floresville at that time. It was the intention of the promoters to supply the surrounding towns and rural communities power if this endeavor proved to be a success.

First Peanut Thresher Wilson County Was Operated By H. E. Conn In what year?

IT'S a FACT : ANSWER: First Peanut Thresher Wilson County Was Operated By H. E. Conn In 1908 ..... E. C. Conn has favored the Centennial Edition with an old time picture showing the first peanuts threshed in Wilson county by a machine. It was owned by his father, H. E. Conn, and was bought in 1908. It shows H. E. Conn threshing peanuts on the Old Chappell place between Floresville and Stockdale. There were 9 large stacks of the peanuts and Mrs. H. E. Conn made sheets to cover them. Shown in the picture are, left to right: Webb Sample, Oscar Holcombe, Hugh Conn and John Bell on top of the stack.

.....taken from Wilson County Centennial Book.

What year was Floresville, Wilson County, Texas designated "Peanut Capital of Texas"?

IT'S A FACT: ANSWER: More than a century of "Peanut Farming" makes Floresville the "Peanut Capital of Texas". The new designation comes as Floresville celebrates our 79th annual Peanut Festival..... the year 2023!!

First commercial production of peanuts in Wilson County...

Nancy Davis correctly guessed, "A peanut oil factory in the early 1900s. I think 1909, but I could be wrong." As

the first commercial production of peanuts began according to written records in Wilson County in 1909. At that time, only one peanut-oil mill existed in the county, the Floresville Oil and Manufacturing Co.

It was Sutherland Springsite, Joe T. Sheehy who in 1916 experimented with peanut farming and introduced it as a viable crop to the farmers of Wilson County.

Paleo-Indians Hunter-Gatherers

The 7 other hunter-gatherers were the Tonkawa, Aranamas, Tamiques, Karankawa. Tawakoni 7, Lipan Apache and Comanche who lived and hunted in Wilson County.

What Wilson County Community celebrated an annual "Autumn Fair?"

Faith Lynn Avalos guessed correctly with the answer " Stockdale"! "Around 1915, watermelons became a cash crop in the area and peanuts followed in the 1930's. Watermelons were such an important crop that in 1937 the community's annual celebration was changed from the Autumn Fair to the (Stockdale)Watermelon Jubilee. The annual Watermelon Jubilee remains today one of oldest watermelon celebrations. ...taken from StockdaleTx.org

What Texas Ranger...

Nancy Davis was correct in naming John King. John Rhodes King (1816-1898) arrived in Texas in 1837 from Tennesse, eventually helping to found Seguin, where he would later serve as the first mayor. King served in the Texas Rangers, being wounded by Indians in 1850, and in both the Mexican and Civil Wars. He served in the Texas Legislature for three terms - one terms representing Guadalupe County and later two terms representing Wilson, Karnes, and Atascosa Counties. King and his family moved to Wilson County in the late 1850's. He helped with the creation of Wilson County, later serving on the commissioner's court.

First high-water bridge over Cibolo

ANSWER: Brandon Darr guessed Sutherland Springs correctly! It was built in 1892.

'The Third Bridge'

Linda Byrd named it fast & correctly! County Rd 401 Cibolo Creek ( Abandonded bridge over Cibolo Creek on CR 401 Wilson County Texas near Jackson Nature Park. Reader Richard Jankovsky III adds, "The Third Bridge is a common name for it. When going from Stockdale toward Floresville that was the 3rd bridge. And the name stuck... ")

What is the name of this person?

Izzy Moy knew Manuel Jesus Ximenez was the person's name.

Manuel Jesus Ximenez, Wilson County sheriff, son of Esteban Ximenez and Theresa Haby G'sell de la Garza, was born in Graytown, Texas, on December 25, 1857. At an early age he moved to Lodi, one of the oldest settlements in Wilson County. His early formal education was limited, and he was mostly self-educated. His public career began around 1880. Ximenez served as tax assessor and collector, county clerk, deputy sheriff, and United States marshal in Wilson County. In 1890, 1892, and 1898 he was elected sheriff of Wilson County. Ximenez was a sheriff cut in the traditional pattern of most country lawmen, but he was ahead of his time when it came to moral and social issues. Before being elected sheriff he had labored for a more humane jail for the prisoners, and by the end of 1887 the new jail was completed. He brought reform to the area when he abolished the practice of lynching in Wilson County, and he ensured continuity of his philosophy in the department by surrounding himself with competent people whom he trained and advised. At the turn of the century Ximenez joined in the capture of Gregorio Cortez Lira for the murder of sheriffs from Karnes and Gonzales counties. In 1898 he assisted Theodore Roosevelt in recruiting and training the First United States Volunteer Cavalry (the Rough Riders) in the San Antonio area prior to Roosevelt's departure to Cuba during the Spanish-American War. Years later Ximenez was a guest of President Roosevelt at the White House. As a civic leader, Ximenez contributed to the Floresville Academy and also succeeded in having the San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railway pass through Floresville. Ximenez's first marriage was to Serafina Jacoba Olivares; they had six children. After Serafina's death, he married Josefina O. Lopez on November 3, 1893; they had two sons and four daughters. Ximenez died on January 11, 1911, and was buried at the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Floresville.

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COURTESY/ Texas State Historical Association written by Gloria X. Gregory.

Fact about Sutherland Springs

Sheila Cantrell named Sutherland Springs correctly as the town. "The disruption of cotton production by pests and later war forced farmers to diversify, adding peanuts, watermelons, hay, and many other crops to their repertoire. Speer developed a model farm in his efforts to promote Sutherland Springs, and he raised 1,500 bushels of corn on his property there in 1910. Baptist minister William A. Clark took a break from being a pastor and managed the Experimental Fruit Farm at Sutherland Springs from 1909 to 1912. During the same period, J. D. Cameron, acting as an agent for some unnamed New York investors, bought 445 acres for $25,000 adjacent to the town. The land was to be developed as five- and ten-acre mini-farms, and it was advertised as being great for growing figs and grapes. " COURTESY/ Richard McCaslin Author Sutherland Springs Texas, Saratoga on the Cibolo

Tributaries that feed the San Antonio River

The names of the tributaries that feed the San Antonio River east of San Antonio echo the Spanish origin of those that first mapped the area: the Salado, Roscillo, Calaveras, Chupaderas, Martinez, Salatrillo, Caicasta (now Kicaster), Aguila, and the Cibolo. The Calaveras (Spanish for skulls) meanders from it origin in east Bexar County to its junction with the San Antonio River 20 miles southeast of downtown San Antonio. Alan Peschke , David Regan , & James D. Pavliska managed to name 5 out of the 9.

Rancho de las Cabras

Alan Peschke named Rancho de las Cabras correctly!

In C.L. Patterson's article from 1939, he mentions "Sisto Martines, was an old timer there; a Confederate veteran. He said that on one occasion many years before the War Between the States (Civil War 1861-1865) about 1,000 Indians raided that settlement and the people took refuge in the Mission, where they remained several days, surrounded by the Indians, before help arrived and the Indians retreated; that while thus besieged, the defenders of the fort obtained water by going to the River though the tunnel connecting the Mission with the River".

Cistern at Polley Mansion

Ronnie L Russell correctly guessed location of the cistern to be at the Polley Mansion. Robin Broughton Muschalek , owner of Miss Polley, adds, " We know the Polleys had the cistern since 1855 as one can see in the 1855 painting by Sarah Anne Hardinge . The water is collected from the roof and rain water so I think Mary Polley only used the water for drinking. The cistern is lined with concrete now so it is filled with fresh water (we have a crack in the concrete so it doesn't hold water). They had a hand dug well 500 feet behind the mansion. It's still there but it's filled with dirt." [Thank you Robin]

Primitive Baptist Church in La Vernia

Connie Schraub Terry was correct in naming the Primitive Baptist Church in La Vernia. "Nancy Pavlich wrote in the Wilson County News : As Wilson County closes its sesquicentennial year, celebrating its rich history, area residents have been devastated by the loss Oct. 13, 2011 of the historic Primitive Baptist Church in La Vernia. The building, more than 100 years old, was destroyed by fire in the early morning hours that day."

Dr. Ella Ware

FROM: ADMINISTRATOR Sheila Cantrell answered correctly!

Dr. Ella Ware was born May, 13, 1870, in Wilson County, Texas, near Stockdale. She was the eldest of sixteen children. She knew what she wanted and medicine was her interest in life. She was thirty years old when she began her journey toward graduation from medical school. Upon graduation, she was offered a full professorship at the University Of Texas Medical School in Galveston. She was grateful for the offer, but Dr. Ware elected to return to her home in Wilson County. This is where she was born and these were the people she loved. A woman doctor was rare in those days and life may have been easier for her in a large hospital in the city. But Dr. Ella Ware wanted to be a country doctor, and that is what she became. She returned to Wilson County to practice medicine. Her profession as a medical doctor seemed to fulfill her life, for she never married. ( Wilson County Historical Society )

Community of Nockenut

James Davenport is correct!! The community of Nockenut grew up around the Ecleto Creek, which was a spring-fed creek that ran year-round. A sawmill, gin and grist mill were built by Henry Solomon Hastings after he and his father, Green Hastings, purchased 1,280 acres from the heirs of M. C. Wing, one of the drawers of a black bean in Mexico as part of the Meir expedition. The community was named Nockenut by H. S. Hastings combining the names of two trees, the Hickory (hickernut) and Anaqua (nockoway), which abounded in the area. H. S. with his Mississippian and added Texas slang, called the community Nockernut, later Nockenut.

The Pandora Quail Management Project

FROM ADMINISTRATOR: Thomas Garza was correct! An unique project, formally known as The Pandora Quail Management Project began in 1946 in Wilson County in the Pandora and Union Valley Area. Its intent was to repopulate the native quail in this area and secondly to provide a cash producing venue for the local landowners. By providing for increased quail population with adequate nesting areas and native food, the area could be leased to bird hunters for their sporting enjoyment.