History
Bennett and West Ranch
Cattlemen John M. Bennett (1831-1920) and George W. West (1851-196) began buying ranch land here in Jackson County in 1875. Bennett was born in Alabama, moved to Texas in 1837, and earned his capital by driving cattle herds up the Chisholm Trail to Kansas. West was also from Alabama and settled in the Sweet Home area of Lavaca County (about 50 miles NW) near Bennett's family.
History
Brackenridge Cemetery
Among family members buried there: John A. Brackenridge (1800-62), a Warrick County, Ind., neighbor from whom young Abraham Lincoln borrowed law brooks, 1855 founder of Texana Presbyterian Church; his son, George W.
History
Confederates of Jackson County
From 1860 population of 2612 came more than 100 Civil War soldiers, one an infantryman on a crutch: M. K. Simons, a Mexican war amputee, brigade quartermaster, 2nd Texas infantry, C. S. A. Officers included Capt. C. L. Owen, veteran of the Texas Revolution and Mexican war; killed at Shiloh in 1862. Composed chiefly of Jackson County men were Co. D, 1st Texas Cavalry; Co.
History
Dr. Bronaugh-Hasdorff Home
Built, 1866, in Texana by practicing physician, J. M. Bronaugh. Of Florida heart pine, square nails. Moved to Edna in 1883. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1967
History
Dutart-McDowell Home
Built in Texana about 1860; later moved here. Housed many of Edna's first families. Typifies homes of that era. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1967.
History
Early Jackson County
Organized, 1837; named for 7th president of U. S., Andrew Jackson. Early hunting grounds of the cannibalistic Karankawa Indians, this region was crossed in 1528 by shipwrecked Spaniard Cabeza de Vaca. French explorer La Salle founded the first settlement,iIl-fated Fort St. Louis, in 1685. Its site is said by some authorities to be Dimmitt's Point (21 miles SW.).
History
Elijah Stapp
A signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence. Born in Virginia 1783. Died in Jackson County, Texas 1843.
History
Enon Cemetery
In 1856 the Rev. Joseph I. Loudermilk (1816-1880) came to Jackson County and organized Enon Baptist Church-- the first church of that faith in the county. He was pastor from that time until his death and was buried here. A five-acre site was given by John and Clarissa Andrews on Oct. 23, 1858, for the church and cemetery. The first interment (1862) was Isaac J. Sheppard.
History
Famous Lavaca-Navidad Meeting of 1835
At the cotton gin of William Millican, near here, on July 17, 1835, occurred the significant Lavaca-Navidad Meeting, held by pioneers living near the two rivers. James Kerr, the founder of Gonzales, was chairman and the Rev. S. C. A. Rogers, secretary. The meeting adopted resolutions protesting mistreatment of Texas colonists by the government of Mexico.
History
Francis Menefee White
Participated in the capture of Bexar, 1835. Born in Tennessee August 11, 1811, died March 22, 1897. His wife Rosanna K. M. White, born in Louisiana died in 1845.
History
Francitas
The LaBauve family moved here from Louisiana in the 1800s; many are buried in nearby LaBauve Cemetery. After the railroad came in 1906, Nebraskans John G. Maher and William F. Schwind founded the Valley Fruit Farm and Garden Co. to promote the new town of Francitas (Spanish for 'Little France'). A trainload of Nebraskans arrived the day before the townsite's grand opening on Dec. 10, 1910.
History
Ganado
Established in 1882 as a shipping point on New York, Texas & Mexican Railroad. Named Ganado (Spanish for "herd") by railroad official. Became a boomtown in 1891-92 when Scandinavian immigrants settled area. Today a farm, oil and shipping center.
History
George F. Horton Home
Built 1876 in Old Texana by Confederate veteran, businessman, postmaster, George F. Horton. Dismantled and moved to Edna in 1882. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1965.
History
George Washington Carver School
The George Washington Carver School, formerly known as the Edna Colored School, had its first class of students graduate in 1912. Though records are hard to find for the early school years, early settlers believed the site of the first school building to be on the east side of Dry Creek where the police station now stands.
History
Hernandez v. State of Texas
Through the 19th and early 20th century, written laws and unwritten practices discriminated against minority groups. A federal court case originating here in Edna helped to overturn some of those practices and advance the cause of civil rights. In August 1951, Pedro (Pete) Hernandez was arrested for killing Jose (Joe) Espinosa at the Gato Negro Cafe on Menefee Street.
History
Jackson County
Home of the Karankawa Indians granted in part to Stephen F. Austin and to Martin de Leon. Settled 1824-1835 by colonists largely from Alabama, Louisiana, Kentucky, Tennessee and west of the Lavaca, Mexico. Organized as a municipality December 5, 1835. Named in honor of Andrew Jackson, president of the United States.
History
Jackson County, C. S. A.
In 1861, voted for secession 147 to 77. With its beef and cotton, helped supply South. Furnished salt from beds near Cox's Creek; hides and tallow from a plant between Port Lavaca and Texana; lead from Navidad mine (now a "lost mine"). Homefolk molded bullets and sent to fighting men, along with clothes woven, sewed or knitted by the family.
History
John Sutherland Menefee
San Jacinto veteran; member of the Congress of Texas 1837-40. Born in Tennessee June 24, 1813; died November 4, 1884. Erected by the State of Texas 1937
History
La Bauve-Young-Payne Home
Built in 1888, of cypress and Texas heart pine, using square nails, wooden pegs. Restored 1956, by the L. A. Paynes. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1967.
History
Little School of the 400
The Little School of the 400 was an educational project developed to integrate Spanish-speaking school children into the mainstream public school population. The program sought to teach these children a vocabulary of 400 essential words to enable them to successfully complete the first grade.
History
Macaroni Station
Forerunner of town of Edna; a camp and commissary during the building of the New York, Texas & Mexican railway, 1880-1882. Count Joseph Telfener, one of the railway investors, brought laborers from his native Italy; station was nicknamed for them. Mrs. Lucy Flournoy in 1882 had townsite surveyed on her land here. The name "Edna" honors a daughter of Count Telfener.
History
Major James Kerr
Born in Danville, Ky.; served in War of 1812 and as sheriff, state representative, state senator in Missouri. Came to Texas as DeWitt Colony's surveyor-general; laid out town of Gonzales, July 1825. In 1827 moved to Jackson County, which he represented in 1832, 1833 conventions, serving in 1833 on committee to draft constitution for proposed state of Texas.
History
Samuel C. A. Rogers
A soldier in the army of Texas who participated in the Siege of San Antonio in 1835. Born in Virginia, June 18, 1810; died February 13, 1892. His wife, Mary E. Rogers, born September 5, 1835; died May 2, 1912
History
Site of Camp Independence
A part of the first army of the Texas Republic, under the command of General Felix Huston, and later of General Albert Sidney Johnston, was stationed here from December, 1836, until furloughed by order of President Sam Houston on May 18, 1837. Captain Henry Teal was assassinated here as he slept in his tent on the night of May 5. Erected by the State of Texas 1936
History
Site of The Johnston-Huston Duel
On this spot General Albert Sidney Johnston and General Felix Huston fought a duel February 5, 1837. General Johnston was seriously wounded. While commanding the Confederate army at the battle of Shiloh April 6, 1862, he was killed. Erected by the State of Texas 1936
Elsewhere in Texas
Hear it from the road
Whistlestop tells you this story automatically when you drive past. No searching, no tapping, nothing to ask.
