RURAL LIFE IN TEXAS Between 1846 and 1860 nearly all Texans lived on farms or ranches. During this time, the number of farms grew from 12,000 to almost 43,000. Since land was available and inexpensive, many Texans farmed or raised cattle on their own land rather than working for someone else. Many farmers in Texas focused on growing food crops. Corn remained the largest food crop in Texas and was a major part of Texans diet. Other food crops included wheat, oats, and sweet potatoes. Few farmers, however, were able to make much of a profit from food crops. Cotton was the primary cash crop in Texas, as it was in the other Southern states. Cotton could be shipped to Northern states and Europe, where it was made into cloth. Because of the rich soil in the area, cotton was grown mostly in East Texas and along the Gulf Coast but also in some parts of Central Texas. Sugar cane was another Texas cash crop. Raising livestock continued to be an important aspect of farming in Texas. Most farmers raised milk cows, hogs, and chickens to provide food. In addition, during the 1850s many Texans began raising livestock for profit. They started ranches where they raised herds of cattle. They also raised sheep for wool. Ranches had existed in Texas since the period of Spanish rule, but the importance of ranching to the Texas economy grew in the 1850s.
GROWTH OF TOWNS (Page 1 of 2) Although most Texans lived on farms and ranches, many began moving to towns. In 1850 fewer than 13,000 people lived in Texas towns. By 1860 the number had jumped to over 26,000. Galveston, with about 5,000 residents in 1850, was by far the largest town in Texas at the beginning of statehood. It was also the state s most developed port and trade center. However, by 1860 San Antonio had become the largest town, with a population of more than 8,000 people. German immigrants made up a large part of the population of San Antonio at this time. San Felipe, once one of the three most important towns in Texas, was rebuilt after it was burned during the Texas Revolution but never returned to its former glory. This was due in part to the growth of Houston, which had become the third largest town in Texas and an important rail center. Other notable towns included New Braunfels, a center for German immigrants during the 1840s and 1850s; Marshall, a center for trade; and Austin, the state s political center and capital.
GROWTH OF TOWNS (Page 2 of 2) None of these communities could be called cities. Each had a few homes, general stores, blacksmith shops, offices for lawyers and doctors, and trade shops. Some even supported newspapers. None of the towns had paved streets. Law enforcement was provided by county sheriffs and town marshals. Nearly all buildings were constructed of logs or lumber. One exception was San Antonio s two-story Menger Hotel, which was built of stone in 1859. It was the tallest building in the state except for the three-story capitol building in Austin. Texas had two manufacturing facilities, one in Houston that made hats and a textile factory in Henderson. Most towns in East Texas had small sawmills. Nearly all settled areas were served by gristmills where corn and other grains were ground into meal for baking. Areas where cotton was grown also had gins for separating seeds and hulls from useful cotton. Mills for grinding sugar and grains were common in parts of Texas where sugar cane was grown.
SOCIAL AND CULTURAL LIFE Most amusement on the Texas frontier had to be found in daily activities. Horse racing was a favorite pastime, as were hunting and fishing. Dancing was also popular. In isolated areas families gathered for Saturday night hoedowns. Fiesta activities, long a part of Hispanic culture, included dances, games, and food and were enjoyed by many Texans. Religious celebrations such as weddings, baptisms, and revivals brought people together. Political election rallies often prompted lively debates. A few theater groups entertained those who lived in towns, and newspapers offered information and entertainment to readers.
Texas found other ways besides farming to provide for themselves, and the new businesses spurred the rapid growth of towns.
Since 1853 German Texans have celebrated Saengerfest, a German singing festival. Saengerfest is an opportunity for German Texans to celebrate their heritage and show their musical talent. The tradition continues and offers activities not only for German Texans but also for the whole community.
The town of Castroville was founded in 1844 by Henri Castro and is located 25 miles west of San Antonio.
A CHANGING POPULATION The annexation of Texas opened the doors for new kinds of settlers. As a result, the population of Texas changed dramatically in the years following annexation. According to the U.S. census, over 212,000 people lived in Texas in 1850. By 1860 the number had increased to over 604,000. Anglo Americans made up most of Texas s population. However, many other groups also came to Texas. At the same time, many Native Texans were being forced out of the state. Why did people come to Texas? Land and a sense of adventure were some reasons. others came looking for political freedom or to escape problems in their homelands. Because they came from many backgrounds, these new immigrants created a varied culture in Texas.
MIGRATION FROM THE UNITED STATES Most of the new Texans emigrated from the United States, mostly from the South. Some families moved west one state per generation, following the expanding American frontier. Others leapfrogged over several states at a time. During the 1850s many immigrants came from Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Alabama. These settlers generally moved directly to the frontier line. There they could farm as they had at their previous homes. Immigrants from Georgia and Mississippi usually settled in the pine belt of East Texas and cleared land for cotton crops. Louisianians settled mainly in the lower regions of rivers near the coast, where they grew sugar cane. People tended to settle in areas that were similar to their former homes.
MEXICAN TEXANS The census of 1850 did not measure the number of Mexican Texans in the state. However, historians suggest that there may have been 23,000 Tejanos. Most Mexican Texans lived in or near San Antonio, between the Nueces River and the Rio Grande, or along the Rio Grande from west of Big Bend to El Paso. Some Tejanos, such as José Antonio Navarro, owned successful cattle or sheep ranches or businesses. Others worked as sheepherders, cowhands, or ranch laborers. Some Tejanos became concerned that Anglo American settlers were becoming more influential than the Tejanos, who had lived in Texas much longer. Juan Cortina, who operated a ranch near Brownsville, believed Tejanos were not being treated fairly. He argued that some Anglo Americans had taken land from Tejanos who were unfamiliar with the U.S. court System. Cortina resisted the growing power of Anglo Americans by carrying out acts of violence against corrupt officials. These actions became known as the Cortina War. Cortina s supporters numbered as many as 400 by the end of 1859. In 1861 he was defeated by Confederate captain Santos Benavides. His actions left Mexican and Anglo Texans suspicious of each other. Despite prejudices against them, Mexican Americans continued to have a strong influence on the economy, art, culture, and language of Texas.
GERMAN TEXANS During the 1840s and 1850s Texas also attracted immigrants from Europe. By 1860 more than 43,000 people born outside of the United States lived in Texas. Germans made up the largest number of these settlers. Although some Germans came to Texas seeking political or religious freedom, others arrived in search of economic opportunities. Many settlers from Germany came to Texas as part of an organized effort by the Adelsverein (ah DELLS vehr ine), or the Society for the Protection of German Immigrants in Texas. Nobleman Otfried Hans, Freiherr von Meusebach, served as a leader for German settlers. In his new home, he dropped his title and changed his name to John O. Meusebach. Meusebach brought more than 2,000 German settlers to New Braunfels. He then founded other communities to the north and west, including Fredericksburg.
OTHER IMMIGRANTS FROM EUROPE (page 1 of 2) The Irish and English were the second and third largest groups of Europeans to settle in Texas. Irish empresarios had received grants under Spain and were active in the Texas Revolution. In 1845 many Irish fled their homeland because a disease attacked Ireland s main food crop, the potato, causing a famine. By 1850 there were 1,403 Irish settlers in Texas. The number increased to 3,480 by 1860. Many Irish immigrants settled around San Patricio and Refugio. Settlers also came from France. Henri (enh REE) Castro founded a colony named Castroville along the Medina River. The colony s settlers, who came from the German-speaking French province of Alsace (ahl SASS), were often mistaken for Germans. Frederick Law Olmsted, a travel book writer, described the village: The cottages are scattered prettily, and there are two churches the whole aspect being as far from Texans as possible.... How delighted and astonished many a traveler must have been, on arriving from the plains at this first village, to find... French neatness, French furniture, delicious French beds. Frederick Law Olmsted, A Journey Through Texas
OTHER IMMIGRANTS FROM EUROPE (page 2 of 2) Texas settlers came from almost every nation in Europe. Polish immigrants led by Father Leopold Moczygemba (moh chee GHEM bah) settled in the town of Panna Maria in Karnes County. Ernst Bergman and Josef Lesikar led a large group of Czechs into Central Texas. Immigrants from Sweden, Norway, Italy, and the Netherlands also arrived in large numbers during the 1850s.
Diedrick Dutchover and family, Belgian Texans
NATIVE TEXANS President Lamar had forced most Native Texans out of East Texas during the years of the Republic. His policy was called the removal of the Native Texans. However, many Comanches and Kiowas still lived in the western part of the state. The growing population of Texas spread even farther west onto Native Texans hunting land. This loss of land increased tensions with native groups. The U.S. Army established a line of military posts from Fort Worth to Eagle Pass. These forts served as a buffer between Native Texans and settlers. The westward movement of settlements soon left these posts behind. In the 1850s seven new forts were established farther west. At the suggestion of the U.S. agent in Texas, Robert S. Neighbors, the Texas government passed a bill that set aside land for Native Texan reservations. In 1854 Neighbors set out to find locations for the reservations. The Brazos Reservation, close to Fort Belknap (in present-day Young County), was established for Tawakonis, Wacos, and Tonkawas. The Clear Fork Reservation was founded farther west, on the Brazos River (in present-day Throckmorton County). Some Native Texans who had roamed freely refused to live within the borders of the reservations. Often these boundaries were crossed by settlers.within a few years, even these small reservations were gone, and most Native Texans were forced to move out of the state.