Gonzales County History

The history of Gonzales County is rich with patriotism, heroism, and hardy pioneer perseverance. For a more detailed accounting of the early settlers, Sons of the DeWitt Colony Of Texas presents stories of the men and women who first settled here, and who participated in the winning of Texas independence.

Many fine histories have been written which include the heroic stories of the Men from Gonzales who went to the Alamo. More recently, the well-researched fictional novel, "True Women" brought to life the trials and tribulations of the women of the area during the early days of the county and the state.

The following is an abridgment taken from the Gonzales County History Book, available at the Gonzales County Records Center and Archives. That book is recommended to anyone with serious research in Gonzales County. The many sources used by the Gonzales County Historical Commission in compiling and documenting the history book make the book a most valuable resource.

Gonzales was created as a county December 14, 1837 by the newly formed legislature of the Republic of Texas from the area known as DeWitt's Colony. It encompassed parts of the counties of Guadalupe, Caldwell, Comal, Lavaca, Fayette, DeWitt, Victoria, and Jackson. During the time of the Republic, until 1845 when Texas became a state, some county records for those counties might be found in the earliest Gonzales County Records.

Stock raising and farming were the main sources of income for many decades. The newspaper, which had its first issue in 1853, reported that year the ginning of seven thousand bales of cotton, with twice as many expected in 1854. By 1889 16,000 bales were produced, and in 1890, 25,000. The Cotton Oil Mill in Gonzales sold 240 tons of oil cake for export to Europe in November 1899. Then the boll weevils hit the county.

For three years, 1906-1908, Gonzales County won the blue ribbon as the banner agricultural county of Texas at the International Fair held annually in San Antonio. In 1908 farmers and "truck raisers" took about fifteen blue ribbons on individual exhibits.

The cattle drives made their place in history from the end of the Civil War until the railroads took over duties of transporting the livestock. Poultry was shipped as early as 1899, when 3000 pounds of turkeys were sent to California.

The county continued to grow until the early 1900's. After statehood, inward migration exploded from 1792 persons in 1850 to over 8000 in 1860. The population peaked in 1910 at 28,955 and since has shown a steady decline with the 1990's showing less than half that many folks living in Gonzales County. Ranching and poultry still have a large part in the economy of the county. However the major employer is now the educational system.

A list of books pertaining to Gonzales County is presented here .

A listing of businesses and industry, as well as present-day activities and events, is found in the Gonzales Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture page links, which you are invited to visit.

Gonzales contains information about history, accommodations, tourism, business, and many other items of interest. You also will find photos of local interest there


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