Architecture
The Woodhouse Home
Harry G. Woodhouse (1865-1918), a former conductor with Southern Pacific Railway, completed this house for his family in 1910. While living in Victoria, he became a successful farmer and served several terms on the city council.
History
This Marker Faces the Site_Home of John Joseph Linn
This marker faces the site (across the street) of the home of John Joseph Linn. Merchant, soldier, statesman, historian. Born in Ireland, October 25, 1798. Last alcalde and first mayor of Victoria. Member of the General Council, Provisional Government of Texas, 1835. Member of the first Congress of Texas. Died here 1885.
History
Thurmond Building
C.L. Thurmond, Jr. constructed this building in 1898 for use as a general mercantile store and residence. It is similar to other structures built here before the 1900s, when Bridge Street was a major commercial center of Victoria. The business district prospered until nearby rail lines and roads were relocated.
History
Tonkawa Bank
Reports of a French settlement somewhere in Texas sent a shockwave through New Spain. Eleven expeditions by land and sea were launched to find La Salle's settlement and destroy it. On April 22, 1689, Spanish governor General Alonso de Leon and his troops discovered the deserted outpost. Considering their orders fulfilled, they buried La Salle's eight cannons and returned to Mexico City.
History
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church
German immigrants of the Victoria area began holding Lutheran worship sevices in private homes as early as the 1840s. The organizational meeting for this church, the first Lutheran congregation in the county, was conducted on December 14, 1851. Under the leadership of the Rev. William Strobel, the members raised funds for the operation of the new parish.
History
Victor M. Rose
(1842-1893) Son of Victoria County judge. From boyhood wrote stories and poems. Left college to join Confederate Army in the Civil War. Fought in Ross' Brigade, in many of the hardest battles in history. Was wounded twice and spent many months as a prisoner of war. Edited "Victoria Advocate" and several other Texas news- papers. Became a distinguished author.
History
Victor Marion Rose
Victor Marion Rose, poet, editor, historian and soldier. From the founders of Victoria he gathered the fragments of the past and wove them into the history of Victoria County. Born in Victoria January 1, 1844. Died in Myrtle Springs February 5, 1893. (1965)
History
Victoria
Founded 1824 by Martin de Leon as center of his colony, Mexico's buffer against Comanches. Active in 1836 in support of Texas War for Independence, and in Confederate cause during Civil War. Historic, trade, cattle, oil and industrial center. (1964)
History
Victoria Advocate
Second oldest existing newspaper in Texas. Established May 8, 1846 by Thomas Sterne --- John D. Logan. Among its editors have been John Henry Brown, Rev. H.S. Thrall, Victor R. Rose, Leopold Morris, historians. Gen. William R. Scurry, Gen. A.P. Bagby of military fame. George H French Publisher since 1901. Erected by the State of Texas 1936
History
Victoria County
Inhabited briefly by adventurer Cabeza de Vaca in 1530's and French explorer La Salle in 1680's. Site of 1720 Mission Espiritu Santo de Zuniga. Mission friars, sent here to Christianize and civilize the Karankawa Indians, laid foundation for the cattle industry of Texas, their stray stock forming nucleus for later vast herds of wild cattle.
History
Victoria County
In this county the first European setlement in Texas, Fort St. Louis, was built by the French explorer La Salle in 1685. Between 1722 and 1726 a Spanish presidio and the Mission of Espiritu Santo were established. Settled by colonists under Martin De Leon in 1824 who named his capital later the county seat, Victoria. From it the county, created March 17, 1836, took its name. (1936)
History
Victoria County
Center front: 1528 Cabeza de Vaca 1685 Cavelier de la Salle Under the Mexican Government Victoria was a district in 1832, a Municipality in 1835. Under the Republic of Texas Victoria County was created March 17, 1836 with Victoria as the county seat. Its territory has since been materially reduced through the creation of other counties.
History
Victoria County Honor Roll
Country's Defenders from Victoria County who made the supreme sacrifice in the World War erected by the citizens of Victoria County dedicated by Leon Zear Post No. 166 the American Legion. Overton A.Abshier, Charles J. Beyer, Oscar R. Booker, John R. Branch, Leo Leslie Brown, Willie E. Butler, Harry Russell Canfield, John J. Caton, Horace c. Davidson, Jacob B. Dentler, Joseph H.
Military
Victoria County, C.S.A.
Transportation, military and supply center in the Civil War. On one branch of the cotton road, which moved crop to Mexico for exchange on foreign markets for vital guns, ammunition, medicines and other goods. The 1861 vote favored secession 313 to 88. Troops furnished the confederacy included 5 cavalry companies. County men were also in the 6th Texas Infantry, which trained at "Henry E.
History
Victoria Pumping Station
VICTORIA PUMPING STATION IN THE 1880s, ENGLISH-BORN WILLIAM WHEELER (1861-1931) CAME TO TEXAS WITH THE C. E. GRAY CONSTRUCTION CO. TO INSTALL WATER WORKS FOR PALESTINE, TYLER, TAYLOR, COLUMBUS, AND VICTORIA. HE ARRIVED IN VICTORIA IN JUNE 1884 WITH CONSTRUCTION ENGINEER J. T. JONES. UPON COMPLETION OF THE CONTRACT IN EARLY 1885, WHEELER WAS HIRED AS VICTORIA'S SUPERINTENDENT OF WATER WORKS.
History
Viola Case
Born in Virginia in 1821, Viola Case moved in 1848 to Victoria, where she taught at the Victoria Female Academy founded by her husband, the Rev. John R. Shive. She continued the school after his death in 1853 and after the death of her second husband, the Rev. Joel T. Case, in 1868. By 1870 the academy known as Mrs. Case's Select School, was coeducational and widely respected.
History
William Robert Smith
(July 20, 1888- July 20, 1952) Served in Co. D, Texas Rangers (1927-1933), under Captains W. W. Sterling, Will Wright, and Albert Mace. Hazardous duties included patrolling the Rio Grande for smugglers, protecting a prisoner from a Sherman lynch mob, dipping cattle for tick fever under death threat in Brazoria County, and investigating "hot oil" scandals at Kilgore.
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.
