Westhoff, Texas, DeWitt County. (original) (raw)

History in a Pecan Shell

In 1906 as the railroad extended from Cuero to Stockdale, a town was plated and a depot built. The town was originally named Bello. But when a post office was applied for, the name was rejected by authorities for the similarity to Bells, Texas (Grayson County).

In 1909, the town was renamed Westhoff, to honor William Westhoff, Sr.

Westhoff throve. 4,800 bales of cotton were ginned at Westhoff's three gins each year. In 1913 a devastating fire destroyed much of downtown and by 1915 the population was a healthy 475. The 1908 school expanded in 1928 and in 1961 was one of the county's three remaining rural school districts. From the 20s to the 50s, Westhoff had 500 residents before it started its decline to the present 410.

Westoff, Texas

Landmarks / Photo Gallery

Historical Marker: SE of town at intersection of US 87 and Church Road (Lord Cemetery Road)

George Lord

George Lord was born in Essex County, England on April 21, 1816 to Felstead and Anna Siggs Lord. He immigrated to Canada in 1834 and worked there for two years. He then moved to New Orleans and joined other volunteers under a Capt. Lyons to serve in the military of the young Republic of Texas. They arrived in Galveston in 1837.

As part of the Texan Army, Lord participated in a number of operations, including suppression of the C�rdova Rebellion (1838) and the fight against Manuel Flores (1839). He also fought in Mexico with the Federalists before returning to Texas. He joined the Somervell Expedition to expel forces of Gen. Adri�n Woll from the Republic, fighting at the Battle of Salado Creek (1842) with many notable Texas figures like John C. "Jack" Hays and William "Bigfoot" Wallace. Lord was among those who then followed Col. William Fisher into Mexico. Fisher's men were captured after fighting at Mier, and as part of the infamous "Black Bean Incident," ten percent were executed while the others remained imprisoned. Lord was not selected for execution; he survived the harsh conditions at Mexico's Perote Prison, returned to Texas and fought in the Mexican War as a Ranger.

In 1849, Lord accompanied Jack Hays and others to California during the Gold Rush. Along the way, he wed Catherine "Kate" Myers (1832-1909) in Eagle Pass, Texas. The couple spent three years mining for gold; Kate sold pies to other miners while her husband collected gold dust. They returned to Texas with $7,000 worth of gold and settled near this site in DeWitt County, where they established a Longhorn cattle ranch and reared 11 children. Lord died while working in his garden in 1895. Today, he is remembered as a Texas patriot.

(2004)

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