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History of Texas, USA
Journey back in time to Texas, USA
Explore the history, people, photographs, newspapers, postcards, and genealogy connected to Texas, USA.
ABOUT THE PLACE
About Texas
Texas is the only state to have the flags of 6 different nations fly over it. They are: Spain, France, Mexico, Republic of Texas, Confederate States, and the United States.
More wool comes from the state of Texas than any other state in the United States.
The state was an independent nation from 1836 to 1845. 50states.com
One custom in Texas and other parts of the American Southwest warmly welcomes Christmas visitors. People cut designs out of the sides of paper bags. Then they put enough sand in the bottom of the bag to hold a candle. They line their walkways with the bags, and light the candles after dark. Guests can easily find their friend's walkway and follow the candles up to the door. worldholidaytraditions.com
"Texas comes from teysha (sometimes spelled tejas, tayshas, texias, thecas, techan, teysas, or techas), a word widely used by the natives of the eastern Texas region before the arrival of the Spanish. The tribes had various spellings and interpretations of the word, but the usual meaning was “friends” or “allies.” Some tribes, like the Hasinais and the Caddo, used it as a greeting, “hello, friend.” This is the usage that Spanish explorers picked up and used to greet friendly tribes throughout Texas and Oklahoma. The explorers also applied the word as a name for the Caddo people and the area around their East Texas settlement." mentalfloss.com
More wool comes from the state of Texas than any other state in the United States.
The state was an independent nation from 1836 to 1845. 50states.com
One custom in Texas and other parts of the American Southwest warmly welcomes Christmas visitors. People cut designs out of the sides of paper bags. Then they put enough sand in the bottom of the bag to hold a candle. They line their walkways with the bags, and light the candles after dark. Guests can easily find their friend's walkway and follow the candles up to the door. worldholidaytraditions.com
"Texas comes from teysha (sometimes spelled tejas, tayshas, texias, thecas, techan, teysas, or techas), a word widely used by the natives of the eastern Texas region before the arrival of the Spanish. The tribes had various spellings and interpretations of the word, but the usual meaning was “friends” or “allies.” Some tribes, like the Hasinais and the Caddo, used it as a greeting, “hello, friend.” This is the usage that Spanish explorers picked up and used to greet friendly tribes throughout Texas and Oklahoma. The explorers also applied the word as a name for the Caddo people and the area around their East Texas settlement." mentalfloss.com
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VINTAGE TEXAS
Texas Nostalgia: Vintage Photos, Ads, and Postcards
Texas, USA
Flag of Texas
Adopted January 25, 1839
Adopted January 25, 1839
Texas, USA
Postcard
Oil Fields, Beaumont, Texas
Texas, USA
Postcard
In the Surf, Galveston, Texas
Texas, USA
(IL) - Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois
Texas, USA
Postcard
Hotel Herring, Amarillo, Texas
Genealogy gifts & optional resources
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
Genealogy Gifts & Resources Related to TEXAS
TEXAS Roots Ceramic Mug - Texas Genealogy - Texan Family History
My Ancestors Came From Texas! That explains a lot about my love for BBQ brisket and my skill in spotting a Texan in a 10-gallon hat anywhere in the world. Unleash your inner Texan with our "My Ancestors Came From Texas!" ceramic mug. This mug is perfect for your morning coffee, evening tea, or any beverage in between. Featuring a witty caption that proudly declares your love for BBQ brisket and your uncanny ability to spot a Texan in a 10-gallon hat anywhere in the world, this mug is a must-have for anyone with Texas roots.
LOCAL HISTORY
Discover Texas: History, News, Travel, and Stories
Explore the events, newspaper stories, people, and moments that shaped Texas through the years.
1682 - Ysleta founded first permanent European settlement in Texas
In 1682, Ysleta became the site of the first permanent European settlement in Texas. This significant event marked the establishment of Spanish colonial presence in the region, part of Spain's broader efforts to colonize and secure territory in North America. Ysleta, located near present-day El Paso, Texas, was strategically situated along the Rio Grande River, a vital waterway that facilitated trade and communication across the southwestern frontier.
The settlement at Ysleta was not only a political and military outpost but also a center for missionary activity. Spanish missionaries played a crucial role in the colonization process, seeking to convert indigenous populations to Christianity while integrating them into the Spanish colonial system. Ysleta thus became a hub where European settlers and Native American tribes intersected, marking a pivotal moment in the cultural and historical landscape of Texas and the broader southwestern United States.
The settlement at Ysleta was not only a political and military outpost but also a center for missionary activity. Spanish missionaries played a crucial role in the colonization process, seeking to convert indigenous populations to Christianity while integrating them into the Spanish colonial system. Ysleta thus became a hub where European settlers and Native American tribes intersected, marking a pivotal moment in the cultural and historical landscape of Texas and the broader southwestern United States.
1829 - Several groups of Irish immigrants arrived in South Texas
1830 - The Mexican government passed a law stopping legal immigration into Texas from the United States except in special cases
In 1830, amid growing tensions between Mexican authorities and American settlers in Texas, the Mexican government enacted a law aimed at curbing further immigration from the United States into the region. This legislation, known as the Law of April 6, 1830, was primarily driven by concerns over the increasing numbers of American settlers arriving in Texas, which was then a part of Mexico. The Mexican government, led by President Anastasio Bustamante, viewed the influx of American immigrants as a threat to their authority and feared the settlers' potential to disrupt the existing social and political order.
The law placed significant restrictions on immigration from the United States, requiring newcomers to adhere strictly to Mexican laws and customs. It also sought to limit the influence of American settlers by prohibiting slavery in Texas, a measure that further exacerbated tensions as many American settlers relied on enslaved labor. The enactment of this law marked a pivotal...
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The law placed significant restrictions on immigration from the United States, requiring newcomers to adhere strictly to Mexican laws and customs. It also sought to limit the influence of American settlers by prohibiting slavery in Texas, a measure that further exacerbated tensions as many American settlers relied on enslaved labor. The enactment of this law marked a pivotal...
1836 - The Alamo and Texas Declaration of Independence
In 1836, a small band of Texans fought the Mexican Army from inside an old mission chapel known as the Alamo. Texans fighting for independence from Mexico had seized the structure and sent Mexican troops away from San Antonio the previous December. Colonel James Bowie and Colonel William B. Travis commanded the small force defending the Alamo, including the famous backwoodsman Davy Crockett.
The Mexican army, led by General Antonio López de Santa Anna had been ordered to recapture the Alamo and take no prisoners.
On the morning of March 6, 1836, General Santa Anna recaptured the Alamo, ending the 13-day siege. An estimated 1,000 to 1,600 Mexican soldiers died in the battle. Of the official list of 189 Texan defenders, all were killed.
On April 21, 1836, Sam Houston, commander of the Texas Army, led 800 troops in a surprise attack on Santa Anna's 1,600 men. Shouting, "Remember the Alamo!" the Texas Army won the battle at San Jacinto in 18 minutes and secured Texas...
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The Mexican army, led by General Antonio López de Santa Anna had been ordered to recapture the Alamo and take no prisoners.
On the morning of March 6, 1836, General Santa Anna recaptured the Alamo, ending the 13-day siege. An estimated 1,000 to 1,600 Mexican soldiers died in the battle. Of the official list of 189 Texan defenders, all were killed.
On April 21, 1836, Sam Houston, commander of the Texas Army, led 800 troops in a surprise attack on Santa Anna's 1,600 men. Shouting, "Remember the Alamo!" the Texas Army won the battle at San Jacinto in 18 minutes and secured Texas...
1845 - Texas became the 28th state
In 1845, Texas officially joined the United States as the 28th state, marking a pivotal moment in American history. The annexation of Texas followed a period of intense debate and political maneuvering, shaped by Texas' independence from Mexico in 1836 and subsequent years as an independent republic. Annexation was not without controversy, particularly due to the implications for slavery and the balance of power between free and slave states in the Union. Texas' admission was a significant expansion of American territory, extending the nation's reach westward to the Rio Grande River and setting the stage for later territorial acquisitions and conflicts, including the Mexican-American War in 1846.
1861 - February 1 - Texas seceded from the Union
TEXAS GONE OUT. - The Texas State Convention adopted the Ordinance of Secession on the 1st inst. by a vote of 166 to 7. The action of the Convention is to be submitted to a vote of the people on the 22nd of February, and, if ratified, it will go into effect on the 2nd of March.
1865 - The Battle of Palmito Ranch fought near Brownsville after the official end of the Civil War,
as word had not yet reached Texas that the war was over; General Granger traveled to Galveston to announce that slavery had been abolished
1869 - A new Texas State constitution adopted
In 1869, Texas underwent a significant constitutional transformation with the adoption of a new state constitution. This event marked a pivotal moment in the state's post-Civil War reconstruction era, as Texas sought to redefine its political and social landscape. The new constitution reflected the broader changes sweeping through the Southern United States during Reconstruction, aiming to address issues of governance, civil rights, and the role of state government in a post-slavery society.
The 1869 Texas State constitution was notable for several reasons. It introduced reforms such as the establishment of a public school system, which aimed to provide education to all children regardless of race. This move was part of broader efforts to integrate formerly enslaved African Americans into civic life and promote equal rights under the law. Additionally, the constitution sought to centralize power within the state government, limiting local authority and restructuring the judiciary...
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The 1869 Texas State constitution was notable for several reasons. It introduced reforms such as the establishment of a public school system, which aimed to provide education to all children regardless of race. This move was part of broader efforts to integrate formerly enslaved African Americans into civic life and promote equal rights under the law. Additionally, the constitution sought to centralize power within the state government, limiting local authority and restructuring the judiciary...
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1874 - September 28 — Texas–Indian wars: U.S. Army Colonel Ranald S. Mackenzie leads his force of 600 men on the successful raid of the last sanctuary of the Kiowa, Comanche and Cheyenne Indian tribes,
a village inside the Palo Duro Canyon in Texas, and carries out their removal to the designated Indian reservations in Oklahoma.
In September 1874, Colonel Ranald S. Mackenzie orchestrated a pivotal event in the Texas-Indian wars by leading a daring raid on a significant Native American sanctuary nestled within Palo Duro Canyon, Texas. This sanctuary served as a final refuge for the Kiowa, Comanche, and Cheyenne tribes, who had long resisted resettlement onto reservations mandated by the U.S. government. With a force of 600 men under his command, Mackenzie executed a meticulously planned assault, catching the tribes by surprise and overwhelming their defenses.
The raid marked a turning point in the government's efforts to enforce its reservation policies, which aimed to confine Native American populations to designated lands in Oklahoma. Mackenzie's success in breaching the canyon sanctuary demonstrated the military's ability to exert authority over resistant tribes and...
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In September 1874, Colonel Ranald S. Mackenzie orchestrated a pivotal event in the Texas-Indian wars by leading a daring raid on a significant Native American sanctuary nestled within Palo Duro Canyon, Texas. This sanctuary served as a final refuge for the Kiowa, Comanche, and Cheyenne tribes, who had long resisted resettlement onto reservations mandated by the U.S. government. With a force of 600 men under his command, Mackenzie executed a meticulously planned assault, catching the tribes by surprise and overwhelming their defenses.
The raid marked a turning point in the government's efforts to enforce its reservation policies, which aimed to confine Native American populations to designated lands in Oklahoma. Mackenzie's success in breaching the canyon sanctuary demonstrated the military's ability to exert authority over resistant tribes and...
1886 - August 20 – A massive hurricane demolishes the town of Indianola, Texas.
In August 1886, Indianola, Texas, faced a devastating natural disaster in the form of a catastrophic hurricane. This event marked one of the most significant hurricanes to ever hit the Gulf Coast region. On August 20th, fierce winds and a massive storm surge slammed into Indianola, a prosperous port city located on Matagorda Bay. The hurricane's force was relentless, causing widespread destruction as it swept through the town.
Indianola, already vulnerable due to its location on a low-lying coastal plain, was almost completely obliterated. The storm surge inundated the town, destroying homes, businesses, and infrastructure. Ships were tossed inland, and the powerful winds toppled buildings and uprooted trees. The devastation was compounded by flooding, leaving the once-thriving community in ruins. In the aftermath, survivors faced immense challenges in rebuilding amidst widespread debris and loss.
The destruction of Indianola by this 1886 hurricane marked a turning point for the ...
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Indianola, already vulnerable due to its location on a low-lying coastal plain, was almost completely obliterated. The storm surge inundated the town, destroying homes, businesses, and infrastructure. Ships were tossed inland, and the powerful winds toppled buildings and uprooted trees. The devastation was compounded by flooding, leaving the once-thriving community in ruins. In the aftermath, survivors faced immense challenges in rebuilding amidst widespread debris and loss.
The destruction of Indianola by this 1886 hurricane marked a turning point for the ...
1895 - Texas
Texas, téx'as (Sp. pron. ta'hās, said to signify "friends" in the Caddo language, and derived immediately from the Tachies, a tribe of Indians whose descendants, called Ionies or Inies, now live in the Indian Territory), the south westernmost of the Gulf states of the American Union, is bounded N. by New Mexico, Oklahoma, the Indian Territory, and Arkansas, E. by Oklahoma, the Indian Territory, Arkansas, and Louisiana, S.E. by the Gulf of Mexico, S.W. by Mexico, and W. by Mexico and New Mexico. From New Mexico it is divided by the line of 32° N. lat. eastward from the Rio Grande to lon. 103° W., and thence north ward by that meridian. Its northernmost limit is 36° 30' N. lat. A tract of land constituting Greer co., and at resent regarded as a part of the territory of Oklahoma, has been for a long time claimed by Texas. The United States disputes the claim, but the title has not yet been determined. From lon. 100° W. eastward the Red River is the northern limit. The eastern line of the ...
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1918 - Texas women won the right to vote in elections
In 1918, Texas marked a significant milestone in American history when women secured the right to vote in state primary elections. This achievement was a pivotal moment in the larger suffrage movement, which sought to grant women the right to participate fully in democratic processes across the United States. Texas became one of the earlier states in the South to grant women this right, following the lead of western states like Wyoming and Colorado, which had already extended suffrage to women decades earlier.
The movement in Texas was part of a broader national effort that gained momentum throughout the early 20th century, fueled by activism, lobbying, and persistent advocacy from women's rights organizations. This victory in Texas was a precursor to the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1920, which granted women the right to vote nationwide.
The movement in Texas was part of a broader national effort that gained momentum throughout the early 20th century, fueled by activism, lobbying, and persistent advocacy from women's rights organizations. This victory in Texas was a precursor to the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1920, which granted women the right to vote nationwide.
1937 - March 18 – New London School explosion:
In the worst school disaster in American history in terms of lives lost, the New London School in New London, Texas, suffers a catastrophic natural gas explosion, killing in excess of 295 students and teachers. Mother Frances Hospital opens in Tyler, Texas, a day ahead of schedule in response to the explosion.
1954 - NO SCRAMBLING - Eggs Taken Out Safely During Fire.
Staff Special to The News.
IRVING, Texas. - Workmen carted out 28 cases - or 840 dozen - eggs without scrambling a one Tuesday when fire broke out in the candling house of the Johnson Poultry Company on Pecan Road.
County Fire Marshal Hal Hood said the fire apparently resulted from a cigarette or match thrown in a trash pile outside the building.
Damage was estimated at $800. He said about $500 damage was to the building and the remainder to machinery and paper egg cartons inside. He credited the relative low loss to fast work by the Irving Fire Department.
Mrs. J. E. Kelly of Irving was listed as owner of the building.
IRVING, Texas. - Workmen carted out 28 cases - or 840 dozen - eggs without scrambling a one Tuesday when fire broke out in the candling house of the Johnson Poultry Company on Pecan Road.
County Fire Marshal Hal Hood said the fire apparently resulted from a cigarette or match thrown in a trash pile outside the building.
Damage was estimated at $800. He said about $500 damage was to the building and the remainder to machinery and paper egg cartons inside. He credited the relative low loss to fast work by the Irving Fire Department.
Mrs. J. E. Kelly of Irving was listed as owner of the building.
1967 - September 20 - Hurricane Beulah moved into South Texas, and torrential rains from the hurricane turned the rich agricultural areas of South Texas into a large lake. Hurricane Beulah also spawned a record 115 tornadoes.
Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Texas:
Visit the Alamo in San Antonio: Step back in time and learn about the famous battle of the Alamo. The historic site is a must-visit for history buffs.
Explore Big Bend National Park: This vast and rugged national park in West Texas offers hiking, camping, and stunning desert landscapes. Don't forget to take a dip in the Rio Grande River.
Enjoy the Music Scene in Austin: Known as the "Live Music Capital of the World," Austin is a hub for musicians and music lovers. Sixth Street and the annual SXSW festival are particularly famous.
Go to the Space Center in Houston: Visit NASA's Johnson Space Center for an out-of-this-world experience. You can see real spacecraft and learn about space exploration.
Relax on the Beaches of the Gulf Coast: Texas has some beautiful Gulf Coast beaches, like South Padre Island and Galveston, where you can soak up the sun and enjoy water sports.
Take a Cowboy Trail Ride: Embrace your inner cowboy or cowgirl by going on a trail ride at one of...
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Explore Big Bend National Park: This vast and rugged national park in West Texas offers hiking, camping, and stunning desert landscapes. Don't forget to take a dip in the Rio Grande River.
Enjoy the Music Scene in Austin: Known as the "Live Music Capital of the World," Austin is a hub for musicians and music lovers. Sixth Street and the annual SXSW festival are particularly famous.
Go to the Space Center in Houston: Visit NASA's Johnson Space Center for an out-of-this-world experience. You can see real spacecraft and learn about space exploration.
Relax on the Beaches of the Gulf Coast: Texas has some beautiful Gulf Coast beaches, like South Padre Island and Galveston, where you can soak up the sun and enjoy water sports.
Take a Cowboy Trail Ride: Embrace your inner cowboy or cowgirl by going on a trail ride at one of...
GENEALOGY IN TEXAS
Discover YOUR Roots: Texas Ancestry
Explore ancestors connected to Texas through births, deaths, marriages, cemeteries, and local genealogy resources.
BIRTHS & DEATHS
Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in Texas, USA
We currently have information about 75 ancestors who were born or died in Texas.
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Updated: 7/21/2024 5:58:02 PM
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