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Waller County, Texas

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Contents

Formed From

  • Waller County was created 28 April 1873 and organized from Austin, Grimes Counties.[1]

History/Timeline

Clocktower with 1894 drawing memorial.

https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hcw02

Large herds of mustangs and wild cattle, deer, prairie chickens roamed through this area.
1700s Bidai Indians lived a migratory life in the area, where they engaged in hunting and fishing. By the time of Anglos arrived, there were only 100 members. [2]
1821-1835 The area was originally part of the Municipality of Washington under Mexican rule, then became part of Washington County and then Austin County. [2]
1821--The area was part of Stephen F. Austin's first colony, the first settlement.[3]
1822 Jared Groce moved from Alabama with 100 slaves, built Bernardo Plantation, 4 miles from present day Hempstead. Groce grew a crop of cotton in 1822.[2]
1825 he constructed the first cotton gin in Texas. A blacksmith shop and commissary were also established at Bernardo, and the plantation became the nucleus of settlement in the area.[2]
April 1836, during Texas Revolution, Sam Houston's army briefly camped at the plantation. Other early settlers on the east bank of the Brazos were Isaac M. Pennington, first schoolteacher in Austin's colony, and two free blacks, Lewis B. Jones and Samuel Hardin. [2]
post 1840 -James Pattison built a plantation close to present-day Pattison, and Edwin Waller settled near Clemons[2]
1845 - east bank of the Brazos became a prosperous, cotton-exporting plantation area; 200 whites owned more than 1,000 slaves. [2]
1854 Leonard W. Groce (Jared Groce's son) acquired some of his father's land and built Liendo Plantation, which became the area's social center. Most of Cotton was taken to Houston to market, using inadequate steamboats or road transportation. [2]
1858 Railroad --Houston and Texas Central Railway built into the county. [2]
Nov 1858 Hempstead on the railroad in NW part of the county, was incorporated then became major trade center. Cotton and agriculture items were shipped by railroad.[2]
1861 - 2nd railroad increased Hempstead's importance as a trade center grew in 1861, connected to Brenham. The formation of Hempstead caused a shift in the county's population, as people moved away from village of Rock Island, which had been the only community.
1862-65 During the Civil War Confederate camps Carter, Groce, and Hebert were established near Hempstead. The town served as Confederate supply and military hospital was established. Camp Groce was one of two POW camps holding Union prisoners.
Support was strong for the Confederacy in the area. Dr. Richard R. Peebles, a prominent local citizen who helped to found Hempstead, was imprisoned and exiled by Confederate authorities for speaking and writing against the war. [2]
1865 - Union soldiers marched into Hempstead in the summer with 4000 troops and George Arnstrong Custer camped near Hempstead from August to October. [2]
1866- An agency of the Freedmen's Bureau was established at Hempstead.
Slavery Slavery movement
1867 two companies of federal troops were assigned there. Emancipation of the area's slaves disrupted the local economy as it had in other counties.[2]
1870 - Cotton prices and production plunged, below prewar levels. Many of the large plantations broke up into smaller farms.[2]
1868 -the Hempstead's peace was disturbed by a race riot. [2]
1869-73 area's majority black population became active in local politics during Reconstruction, and a number of blacks were elected to county and state offices. [2]
Apr28, 1873 Waller county was created from Austin and Grimes counties with Hempstead as County Seat. [2][4]
1872-1900 County voters supported the Republican candidates in every presidential election.
1873 - The Liendo Plantation purchased by Edmund Montgomery and wife, sculptor Elisabet Ney. [2]
1878 Pattison grew rapidly after the Texas Western Narrow Gauge Railroad arrived.[2]
1879 Prairie View State Normal School, a state school to train black teachers was established.[2]
later 1880s, 90s Immigrants from Central and Eastern Europe, Ireland, and Italy arrived. [2]
1899 --The Narrow Gauge Railway closed. [2]
1896-1900 elections were marked by violence. Republican vote dropped by 50%.[2]
1903 state white primary law almost eliminated blacks as a political power in the county.[2]
1930- Cotton production expanded, (1910 30,000 acres planted in cotton), (1920 23,000 acres), (1930 24,000 acres with 4,052 African Americans). Cotton gins closed 1930s.[2]
1948 -Oil production rose to 591,000 barrels, then dropped in the next 10 years. [2]
2004 -More than 1,501,000 barrels of oil and 6,852,751 cubic feet of gas-well gas were produced, by the end of that year 27,752,794 barrels of oil had been taken from county lands since 1934. [2]

Government Offices

There have been 4 courthouses in Waller County.

1st Courthouse was in a rented frame building. [5]

2nd Courthouse,1877, the first brick courthouse was built, and was in use until it burned in 1892. In 1894, a new courthouse was built. [5][6]

3rd Courthouse, 1894 courthouse served the county until it was demolished in 1954 after the current courthouse opened.[7] The 1894 Waller County Courthouse - This is a fancy courthouse. "It's a shame that this courthouse is no longer standing. It was the site of an historic, yet tragic event. According to the Handbook of Texas Online, John McPherson Pinckney a Confederate veteran, Waller County Judge and U.S. Congressman, died from a gunshot wound at the old Waller County courthouse on April 24, 1905 while trying to break up a fight. Pinckney, a Prohibitionist, and the members of the Prohibition League were meeting at the courthouse to discuss using the Texas Rangers to enforce a newly enacted prohibition law. His brother, Thomas, and two other men were also shot and killed. The publicity surrounding this event in Hempstead, led to the creation of the town's early nickname, "Six-Shooter Junction." - Terry Jeanson[5]

1894 Courthouse, jail.
1894 courthouse

4th Courthouse and current This is functional but plain, newer, composed of limestorne, brick. [8]

Someone wrote in A History of Waller County, published in 1973, the 1894 courthouse stated the building stated that the 1894 structure "was torn down for a larger and even more attractive brick three-story building in 1955. They erred in the statement. The 1955 is newer.[5]
1955-Current courthouse

Geography

https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hcw02

Climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Katy has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate map
Waller County is in the lower coastal plain of SETexas.
Center of the county lies at 29°11' north latitude and 96° 01' west longitude.
County Seat -Hempstead and largest city,(25 miles NW of Houston).
Size - 514 square miles of land
Type -rolling timbered area in N part of county, to coastal prairie in S,marsh and bunch grasses. :Elevation 100 and 300 feet above sea level.
Soil - fertile alluvial soil in Brazos river bottoms to sandy loam soil in prairie region to black waxy soils in the small S area of the county.
Rivers, creeks -Brazos River is county's W boundary, county is crossed by creeks, Clear, Spring, Walnut, Brushy, Pond, Birch, Mound, Besser, Iron, and Cedar creeks.
Springs/Lakes Hubbard Springs provides mineral waters. Garrett Lake, Mound Lake, Hannay Lake.
Vegetation - Pine trees in NE Waller County, pecan trees on the Brazos river bottom, live oak, ash, elm sycamore, cottonwood, walnut trees, wild fruits, berries elsewhere.
Temperature low of 41° F in January to high of 95° in July.
Rainfall - 42 inches
Growing season lasts 288 days.

https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hcw02

Protected areas
  • Peckerwood arboretum species of acer, ilex, liquidambar, magnolia, styrax, taxus, quercus, many of which are recent plant discoveries from remote mountain ranges in Mexico. There are outdoor sculptures and a collection of folk art from Mexico and the United States.

Demographics

In 2000 Census, there were 32,663 people residing in the county with a population density of 64 people/sq. mi. The racial makeup of the county was 57.83% White, 29.25% Black or African American, 0.49% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 10.28% from other races, and 1.76% from two or more races. 19.42% of the population were Hispanic. The median income for a household in the county was $38,136, and the median income for a family was $45,868. Males had a median income of $34,447 versus $25,583 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,338. About 11.50% of families and 16.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.00% of those under age 18 and 12.30% of those age 65 or over.

Politics - In national elections a majority of the voters of Waller County supported the Democratic candidates in every presidential election from 1900 to 1948. However, the county swung to Republicans in 1952, 1956, and 1960. The county's voters then supported the Democratic candidates in most presidential elections from 1964 through 1996, except in 1972, when Republican Richard Nixon carried the county, and 1984, when Ronald Reagan did. In the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections Republican George W. Bush carried the county with solid majorities. A chart shown on wikipedia indicates the representatives and senator currently are Republican.[9]

NOTE- Controversies of students voting rights of students in Prairie View A&M University. Waller county officials have shown reluctance of county officials to allow students attending historically-black Prairie View A&M University to vote in Waller County in 1971, 1992, 2003, 2007-08.[10]

[11]

  • The economy of Waller County revolves primarily around farming, cattle, and forest products. Mineral resources include oil and gas, salt domes, shell, gypsum, sulphur, sand, gravel, and brick clay.
  • Prairie View State Normal School, a state school to train black teachers, was established in 1879.

(Currently known as Prairie View A &M University)

  • Immigrants from Central and Eastern Europe, Ireland, and Italy arrived during the later nineteenth century, with Germans forming the largest immigrant group.
  • Catholic and Lutheran churches grew with the arrival, especially, of German, Polish, and Czech immigrants into the early twentieth century. A Jewish synagogue, established in 1873, also increased religious diversity.
  • Brookshire grew after 1893, when the Missouri, Kansas, and Texas Railroad built through the area from Houston.
  • South Texas Baptist College was established in the town of Waller in 1898, but did not survive the great storm (hurricane) that pushed through the area in 1900.
  • The Narrow Gauge Railway closed in 1899.
  • Waller County is served by U.S. Highway 290, State Highway 6, the Union Pacific Railroad.

Airports

  • Houston Executive Airport located between Brookshire and Katy in an unincorporated area.
  • Skydive Houston Airport (Skylake Airport) is located S of Waller in an unincorporated area.
  • George Bush Intercontinental Airport, an international airport in Houston in Harris County under The Houston Airport System serves Waller county as it is within its service area.
  • William P. Hobby Airport in Houston and in Harris County has commercial airline service.

Highways

  • I-10 Interstate 10
  • U.S. Highway 90
  • U.S. Highway 290
  • Texas State Highway 6

Adjacent Counties

  • Grimes County (north)
  • Montgomery County (northeast)
  • Harris County (east)
  • Fort Bend County (south)
  • Austin County (west)
  • Washington County (northwest)
Cities
  • Katy (partly in Harris and Fort Bend counties)

located on intersection of 3-th-border intersection of Harris, Fort Bend, and Waller counties, along Interstate 10, 29 miles W of Houston

Katy mural.
Towns and Uninco Communities

Uninco Communities

Festivals
  • Soap Box Derby Fun Day
  • Demolition Derby, April
  • Watermelon Run For The Fallen (fallen soldiers of Iraq and Afghanistan war
  • visit a working farm complete with rides and attractions for all ages, tour a real winery, take a ride in vintage aircraft, watch a real county fair


Schools

Rockin Schoolhouse
Colleges/Universities
  • Prairie View State Normal School, a state school to train black teachers, was established in 1879.

(Currently known as Prairie View A &M University)

      • South Texas Baptist College was established in the town of Waller in 1898, but did not survive the great storm (hurricane) that pushed through the area in 1900.
Public Schools
Hempstead High (Grades 9-12)
Hempstead Middle (Grades 6-8)
Hempstead Elementary (Grades 3-5)
Hempstead Early Childhood Center (Grades PK-2)
Royal High School (Brookshire; Grades 9-12)
Royal Middle School (Brookshire; Grades 6-8)
Royal Elementary School (Brookshire; Grades 1-5)
Royal Early Childhood Center (Pattison; Grades PK-K)
Royal STEM Academy (Brookshire; Grades 3-10)
Royal Early College High School (Brookshire; 9-10)
Royal ISD opened a new two-story high school and new early childhood center.
Waller High School (unincorporated Harris County, near Waller) 30°4′43″N 95°55′12.6″W
Waller Junior High School (Waller)
Wayne C. Schultz Junior High School (Waller)
Fields Store Elementary School (Fields Store, Unincorporated Waller County)
I. T. Holleman Elementary School (Waller)
Herman T. Jones Elementary School (Prairie View)
Roberts Road Elementary School (Hockley, unincorporated Harris County)
Turlington Elementary School
Private Schools

Cemeteries




Historic Census

1880 --- 9,024 —
1890 --- 10,888 20.7%
1900 --- 14,246 30.8%
1910 --- 12,138 −14.8%
1920 --- 10,292 −15.2%
1930 --- 10,014 −2.7%
1940 --- 10,280 2.7%
1950 --- 11,961 16.4%
1960 --- 12,071 0.9%
1970 --- 14,285 18.3%
1980 --- 19,798 38.6%
1990 --- 23,390 18.1%
2000 --- 32,663 39.6%
2010 --- 43,205 32.3%
Est. 2015 --- 48,656

Notables

  • Ima Hogg, philanthropist, b Mineola, TX

County Resources

  • Waller County Genealogy
  • Catholic and Lutheran churches grew with the arrival, especially, of German, Polish, and Czech immigrants into the early twentieth century. A Jewish synagogue, established in 1873, also increased religious diversity.
  • Waller County is served by U.S. Highway 290, State Highway 6, the Union Pacific Railroad.

Airports

  • Houston Executive Airport located between Brookshire and Katy in an unincorporated area.
  • Skydive Houston Airport (Skylake Airport) is located S of Waller in an unincorporated area.
  • George Bush Intercontinental Airport, an international airport in Houston in Harris County under The Houston Airport System serves Waller county as it is within its service area.
  • William P. Hobby Airport in Houston and in Harris County has commercial airline service.
  • Igloo Manufacturing
  • Goya Food Company (Mexican, Puerto Rican foods

Land Grants

Sources

  1. ↑ https://texasalmanac.com/topics/government/waller-county
  2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 2.20 2.21 2.22 2.23 2.24 2.25 2.26 https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hcw02
  3. ↑ https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Waller_County,_Texas_Genealogy
  4. ↑ https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Waller_County,_Texas_Genealogy
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 http://www.texasescapes.com/CentralTexasTownsSouth/Hempstead-TX-Waller-County-Courthouse.htm
  6. ↑ https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Waller_County,_Texas_Genealogy
  7. ↑ https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Waller_County,_Texas_Genealogy
  8. ↑ https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Waller_County,_Texas_Genealogy
  9. ↑ https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hcw02
  10. ↑ "2 Voter Rights Cases, One Gripping a College Town, Stir Texas" by Ralph Blumenthal, New York Times, May 28, 2008
  11. ↑ "Judges slap Waller voter rules, give hand to Prairie View" by Cindy George, Houston Chronicle October 24, 2008




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