Texas History Guide

Texas lies within the regions of three North American civilizations which had reached their developmental peak prior to the arrival of European explorers. Namely, the Pueblo from the upper Rio Grande region, the Mound Builder of the Mississippi Valley region, and the civilizations of the pre-Columbian cultures of Mexico and Central America. Native American tribes that lived inside the boundaries of present-day Texas include the Alabama, Apache, Atakapan, Bidai, Caddo, Coahuiltecan, Comanche, Cherokee, Choctaw, Coushatta, Hasinai, Jumano, Karankawa, Kickapoo, Kiowa, Tonkawa, and Wichita

The first European to see Texas was Alonso Alvarez de Pineda, who led an expedition on behalf of the governor of Jamaica, Francisco de Garay, in 1519. While searching for a passage between the Gulf of Mexico and Asia, Alvarez de Pineda created the first map of the northern Gulf Coast. This map is the earliest recorded document of Texas history. Between 1528 and 1535, four survivors of the Narvaez expedition, including Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca and Estevanico, spent six and a half years in Texas as slaves and traders among various native groups.

Spanish missionaries built the first two missions near El Paso in 1682. Some Mexican farmers began settling near these missions, north of the Rio Grande.

In 1685, LaSalle, the French explorer arrived along the Gulf of Mexico coastline and he established Fort St. Louis on the edge of Matagorda Bay. This was the first claim in Texas by the French. LaSalle was later killed by his own men, and within five years Indians attacks and diseases virtually wiped out the French forces.

By the late 1730s, missions were built throughout central, east, and southwest Texas. Presidios (Spanish forts) were established near some of the missions to protect them from Indian attacks. In 1718, a presidio was built to protect the mission of San Antonia de Valero. By the late 1770's, San Antonio held the Spanish government for Texas.

In 1820, American Moses Austin was granted land in Texas from Spanish officials. In 1821, his son Stephen Austin brought 300 families to farm along the Brazos River in Texas. That same year Mexico won independence from Spain. Mexico extended the boundaries of Austin's colony and granted other Americans land in Texas. In 1823, the new colony created its head of government in present-day Austin County.

Years went quickly by and soon regional tensions escalated because of cultural, political and religious differences between the upstart American settlers and the Mexican government. Mexico sent troops to tighten their control, and on October 2, 1835, the first battle for Texas' independence, the Battle of Gonzales took place.

On March 6, 1836, the historic Battle of the Alamo was over and all of the brave defenders of Texas (about 190) were slaughtered by a Mexican army estimated at 4,000 to 5,000 solders strong; heroes killed included David Crockett, Jim Bowie and William B. Travis. Following the Alamo, more than 300 Texan prisoners from the battle at Goliad were also executed. The Battle of San Jacinto was the last major battle in this war. On April 21, 1836, Texans took the Mexico army by surprise, capturing Santa Anna and defeating his army. They shouted the famous phrase, "Remember the Alamo" while they fought. This victory gave Texas independence from Spain. The new independent country became the Republic of Texas.

Sam Houston, a Virginia native, went on to become President of the Republic of Texas twice. Through his efforts, Texas was subsequently annexed to the United States as the 28th state on December 29, 1845. The following year, war broke out between the United States and Mexico over the boundary between Texas and Mexico. The Mexican War ended in 1848. Mexico gave up all claims to Texas using the Rio Grande as the new boundary between the two countries.

During America's Civil War, Texas seceded and joined the Confederate States of America. Several battles were fought on its soil and on June 19th, 1865, (as the war was ending) General Gordon Granger, commander of the U S troops in Texas, arrived in Galveston and issued the order that the Emancipation Proclamation was now in place, thus ending slavery in Texas.

Oil, discovered near Beaumont in 1901, lead to the expansion of several refineries and manufacturing plants. Texas' oil and gas industries flourished as the need for their products increased during World War I (1914-1918). The federal government also established many military training camps in Texas.

The Great Depression (1929-1939) devastated the nation's economy. Oil prices fell, causing many to lose their jobs. Highway construction provided some with work from the federal government. World War II (1939-1945) also helped the economy. Thousands of military men were trained in Texas camps. Manufacturing became a very important part of Texas' economy. The aerospace, chemical, and electronics industries established many businesses throughout the state. Texas began to change from a farm economy to an industrial economy. Many farmers began moving to the cities.

On April 16, 1947, Texas suffered one of its worst tragedies as a ship carrying chemicals in the harbor at Texas City exploded. The explosion killed almost 500 people, injured 3,000, and caused about $70 million in damage.

During the 1950s, Texas experienced racial problems much like that of the other Southern states. After the U.S. Supreme Court ruled segregation in public schools unconstitutional in 1954, Texas was required to integrate its schools. In 1963, political leader Lyndon B. Johnson of Texas became the first Southern President since the Civil War. He became the 36th President after President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.

From 1950 through the 1960s, Texas modernized and dramatically expanded its system of higher education. Under the leadership of Governor John B. Connally, the state produced a long-range plan for higher education, a more rational distribution of resources, and a central state apparatus that managed state institutions with greater efficiency. Because of these changes, Texas universities received federal funds for research and development during the John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson administrations.

Possessing enormous natural resources, Texas is a major agricultural state and an industrial giant. Second only to Alaska in land area, it leads all other states in such categories as oil, cattle, sheep, and cotton. Texas ranches and farms also produce poultry and eggs, dairy products, greenhouse and nursery products, wheat, hay, rice, sugar cane, and peanuts, and a variety of fruits and vegetables.

Sulfur, salt, helium, asphalt, graphite, bromine, natural gas, cement, and clays are among the state's valuable resources. Chemicals, oil refining, food processing, machinery, and transportation equipment are among the major Texas manufacturing industries.

Texas Famous People

• Mary Kay Ash (1915  -2001) Cosmetics entrepreneur and founder of Mary Kay cosmetics; born in Hot Wells.
• Steven Fuller Austin (1793 - 1836) Founding father of Texas and namesake of the state's capital.
• Clyde Barrow (1909 - 1934) Outlaw and partner in crime with Bonnie Parker; born in Teleco.
• Carol Burnett (1933 - ) Comedian and actress of ?The Carol Burnett Show?; born in San Antonio.
• George W. Bush (1946 - ) 43rd U.S. President; grew up in Midland and Houston.
• Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890 - 1969) The 34^th U.S. President (1953-1961); born in Denison.
• Buddy Holly (1936 - 1959) Musician, considered one of the fathers of rock 'n roll; born in Lubbock.
• Lyndon B. Johnson (1908 - 1973) The 36^th U.S. President (1963-1969); born in Stonewall.
• Willie Nelson (1933 - ) Country music singer and songwriter; born in Abbott.
• Roy Orbison (1936 - 1988) Singer; born in Vernon.
• Selena Perez (1971 - 1995) Famous Latin singer; born in Texarkana.
• H. Ross Perot (1930 - ) Dallas computer billionaire, philanthropist, and independent (Reform Party) candidate for U.S. president in 1992 and 1996; born in Texarkana.
•  Dan Rather (1931 - ) TV newscaster and host of CBS Evening News; born in Wharton.
• Nolan Ryan (1947 - ) Baseball pitcher who pitched seven no-hitters; born in Refugio.
• Sandra Day O'Connor (1930 - ) U.S. Supreme Court justice; born in El Paso.