Origins of City Names in Texas (Houston, Dallas: appointed, school district, general contractor)

[RGV]

Thx Blueskies,

The next time I'm in Dallas I'll definately visit that monument and cemetary. I was there about a month ago and took some pictures of the DT, but I didn't make it to the convention center area.

Thx for the info.

[TXTwizter]

Name originated from the tribe of Indians that had a settlement there, before being forced out by the Cherokees in 1830. The Waco or Hueco Indians, can be spelled either way.

[case44]

Originally Posted by carolmcb

Don't you just love the name of their newspaper -- the Turkey Gobbler. I have to assume that the paper (established in 1919) is no longer in business due to the town getting smaller and smaller.

Turkey Gobbler. Gotta love that one.

http://bestsmileys.com/lol/22.gif (broken link)

[evilgrag]

Goliad - In 1829, the name of the village of La Bahía was changed to Goliad, an anagram of Hidalgo (omitting the silent initial "H"), in honor of the patriot priest Miguel Hidalgo, the father of Mexico's independence.

La Bahia - (Area of Goliad County Just south of the city of Goliad) Presidio La Bahia (Fort of the bay) was originally built near Lavaca Bay in 1721, but the site proved unsuitable. It was relocated in 1726 further inland near Victoria, Texas and finally at its present location in 1749. Although, it had moved inland, the fort was still responsible for the defense of the coastal areas and east Texas. The fort LaBahia still stands today and has been restored, As well as Mission of Nuestra Señora del Espíritu Santo de Zúñiga which my grandfather helped restore. La Bahia was the site of the Goliad Massacre in 1836.

Yorktown - Founded by Captain John York and Charles Eckhardt and named in honor of Captain John York, a famous Indian fighter and was in command of a company of citizens who, under Ben Milam, defeated General Cos in 1835 at the battle of Bexar. For his military services, York received many acres of land in the Coleto Creek area. Captain York died in October, 1848, in a battle with Indians who had raided on the settlement of Yorktown. A historical marker designates York's grave only seven miles from town.

[desertsun41]

We have a place on Lake Livingston in a little town called Coldspring. Coldspring is about an hour or less above Houston. Historians say the town was originally named "Coonskin" when it was founded in 1847. Imagine that name today? It would have been changed anyway.

[SIZE=2]Coldspring is the county seat of San Jacinto County which is named after the river that traverses it and shares its name with the Battle which gave Texas its independence. [/SIZE]

All the roadside population signs say Pop. 791 but it is probably about 3 times that.

Home of Lake Livingston State Park and Double Lake State Park. Wonderful places to spend a weekend.

[D'kota]

Originally Posted by carolmcb

Rancho Viejo - is a resort community a few miles northwest of Brownsville. It is composed of the original Spanish land grant of Potrero del Espiritu Santo. The grantee, Jose Salvaor de la Garza established 2 ranches there in 1770, Espiritu Santo ranch and El Tanque ranch. These ranches later became known as Rancho Viejo.

When I was growing up it was still a ranch and still called Rancho Viejo. One of my best friend's grandmother was associated with the management of the ranch. I remember orange groves but no cattle. I stayed at the old ranch house. It was perfect, with cattle horns hung on the walls and rawhide covered easy chairs. That is where I had my first cup of coffee. Well, I thought it was coffee. I was still in elementary school and the cup was filled with a little coffee, a lot of cream, sugar and cinnamon. I felt so grown up. I have never forgotten the coffee or the ranch.

Rancho Viejo incorporated into a township in 1980. It has got to be one of the most beautiful places in the Valley.

Was there a resaca near Rancho Viejo? As I recall in the 40's, I used to see a resaca on the way to Brownsville from Olmito.

[cheryjohns]

Originally Posted by car957

Cut and Shoot. Named after a dispute that almost became violent over the steeple of the town's church.

Handbook of Texas Online - CUT AND SHOOT, TX

This is one of the more interesting threads on this website. I look forward to more about the history of Texas communities.

There's an subdivision in Houston called Hoot & Holler. I have always wished in was in Cut and Shoot.

[txstate]

Originally Posted by TXTwizter

Name originated from the tribe of Indians that had a settlement there, before being forced out by the Cherokees in 1830. The Waco or Hueco Indians, can be spelled either way.

Or Huaco there is a street in North Waco near Waco High with this name.

[txstate]

Missouri City is named after people from Missouri who said the land was sunny and grassy which it is, and wanted people from Missouri to relocate there. After a blizzard most of people left, But the original pioneers where from Arlington. Now MO City is one of the wealthiest counties in Texas in Fort Bend home to athletes, doctors, and professionals and oil was discovered at Blue Ridge.

[Saintmarks]

I heard this locally but cannot find any information to back it up. Anyone who can verify this, please help.

The three towns going north of my city of McKinney, all along the old rail line from Dallas to Sherman are Melissa, Anna and Van Alstyne.

I was told by a local that the town of Van Alstyne was named for a railroad man who developed said rail line and that the next two stations which spawned the other two towns were named for his daughters Melissa and Anna. Anyone have any verification of this? I find this very interesting.