Henkhaus, Texas, Lavaca County. (original) (raw)

History in a Pecan Shell

A man named Henry Russell held deed here on the Columbus to Gonzales Road when Texas was still a Republic. After the Civil War as Anglo settlers sold out to the arriving German setters, the larger land grants were broken up to accommodate more modest farms.

John Henkhaus built a cotton gin and store alongside the San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railroad in 1887. The community waited until 1898 for a post office which operated in Henkhaus� store. It closed just nine years later.

The tiny community enjoyed the tranquility of the region, suffering no disasters and making little, if any, history. Cotton was the sole enterprise other than family gardening.

After WWII, with a population remaining around 50 residents, Henkhaus� school merged with Moulton�s school and the old gin closed. Cotton farming gave way to a cattle and hay economy. Although the last businesses in Henkhaus closed years ago, the population remains at around 60 people.

Henkhaus, Texas Today

Photographer's Note
�Here is what is left of Henkhaus Texas.���A sign on Highway 95 points to Henkhaus and about a mile down the road you will run into a T in the road at the railroad tracks. This is where the town once was.�There is only�a single house with barns & outbuildings.�� A HENKHAUS sign at the residence can be seen from the road confirming this is the place!� - Will Beauchamp, December 2009

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