Yorktown, Texas, DeWitt County. (original) (raw)
History in a Pecan Shell
The town is named after Captain John York, who died defending the town against Indians in the autumn of 1848. York had helped settle the town two years before with business partner Charles Eckhardt. The men saw an immense opportunity by founding a town here since it would create a shorter route from the busy port of Indianola to San Antonio.
Known as the Old Indianola Trail, it was well-traveled by German immigrants on their way inland. Many settled here as well as survivors from Indianola�s storms which turned that prosperous city into Texas� most famous ghost town.
Eckhardt built the town�s first house in May of 1848 and two years later he established the Charles Eckhardt and Sons store. In 1854 the town was named after the late Captain York.
In 1871 the town was granted a post office and incorporated. The Aransas Pass Railway was built a mile south of town in 1886 and the town relocated to the rails. The old site continued on for several years as �Upper Yorktown.�
In 1898 Yorktown had an estimated population of 850 people and every essential business as well as a few non-essential businesses. At its peak, Yorktown�s population hit nearly 2,500 but had declined to 2,207 by 1990. It has since risen to 2,271, although many downtown businesses have closed, including the feed store � once the center of the area economy. The 1871 Eckhardt store now contains the town�s history museum and is listed on the National Register.
Longhorns pulled cotton wagons, Yorktown, TX
Postmarked Nov. 1, 1909
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Main Street, Yorktown, Texas, Postmarked 1908
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Vintage photo courtesy Dan Whatley Collection
Main Street, Yorktown, Texas, Postmarked 1910
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Vintage photo courtesy Dan Whatley Collection
Gonzales Street South, Yorktown, Texas
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Vintage photo courtesy Dan Whatley Collection
Yorktown, Texas Landmarks
C. Eckhardt Building
Yorktown Historical Museum
144 W. Main St.
On the National Register
TE photo, July 2008
Historical Marker: 144 W. Main St.
C. Eckhardt & Sons Building
Erected 1876. Had iron shutters, elevator, walls 25 inches thick. Housed general mercantile store begun by pioneer Caesar Eckhardt family in 1848, soon after founding of Yorktown. Wagons brought in goods from seaport of Indianola. Gold and silver hidden under potatoes were sent to San Antonio to purchase other supplies. During the Civil War, wife ran the business while the husband and two sons served the South.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1965
A keystone building in downtown Yorktown
Photo courtesy Stephen Michaels, July 2008
The 1909 Nau Brothers Building
TE photo, July 2008
Nau Building Threshhold
TE photo, July 2008
The former Yorktown Bakery
TE photo, July 2008
Former Chevrolet Dealership with Deco Signage
Photo courtesy Stephen Michaels, July 2008
Chevrolet Signage Detail
TE photo, July 2008
More Texas Eagles
The former Feed Store.
TE photo, July 2008
More Texas Stores
Yorktown's Hospital (circa 1950)
TE photo, July 2008
The Main Entrance of the Yorktown Hospital
Photo courtesy Stephen Michaels, July 2008
A cold-war relic
TE photo, July 2008
Historical Marker: 1214 Zorn Rd., Yorktown
Holy Cross Catholic Church
This church was established by Polish families who first came to Texas in the 1850s and settled in Panna Maria, then migrated to this area. A group of Polish Catholics split from the primarily German Catholic Church in Meyersville and joined the Catholic Church in Yorktown. By 1867, there were 13 Polish households as members of the Yorktown congregation, and the time had come to build a new church facility. In 1867, Anton and Lucyia Koszielsky deeded land at this site to the church, and the building that was constructed was dedicated to St. Mary. After it burned in 1915, the parish hired architect F. B. Gaenslen to design their new building. Completed in 1916, the building utilized the cross from the steeple on the former church and thus came to be called Holy Cross. Construction work was overseen by Falbo Contractors of San Antonio, with much of the labor supplied by parishioners. Gaenslen's design for a simplified Romanesque style church was carried out in red brick, with polychrome brick detailing on the tower. Its Romanesque features are evident in its tower, semi-circular arched windows and corbelled parapet. Since 1916, Holy Cross Catholic Church has served Catholics in Yorktown and the surrounding area. The building stands as an architectural landmark in the region, as it houses the parish's ongoing ministries of worship, education and outreach.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 2001
Historical Marker: Intersection of Old FM 237 and Zorn Rd., Yorktown.
Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery
In 1867, Anton (1815-1889) and Lucyia (1830-1912) Koszielsky deeded land to the Roman Catholic Church for a graveyard to serve the parishioners of the growing Catholic community of Yorktown. In 1916, Jesse H. (1866-1943) and Constantine (1866-1941) Kozelski donated additional acreage to enlarge the cemetery. In 1937, an extensive landscaping project was completed and crucifixion monument, donated by Frank and Florentyna Jendrzey, became the focal point of the cemetery. Elizabeth Wollny donated the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1979. The cemetery chronicles the diverse heritage of the Yorktown area.
Historic Texas Cemetery � 2001
Historical Marker: east off FM 240 on edge of Yorktown. Upper Yorktown Cemetery
In 1872, Ann Friar (1802-1899) formally established Upper Yorktown (Friar) Cemetery, where her husband, rancher-businessman Daniel Boone Friar (1800-1858), local masons and others were interred. In 1949, Barbara Respondek (1882-1949) donated one acre to the east for African-American residents, adding to its diverse Anglo, German and Hispanic origins. Noted burials include: Friar family members; 1876 feud victims Dr. Philip Brassell (b. 1827) and son, George (b.1855); settlers Gotlieb (1790-1867) and Marie (1790-1869) Heissig; Union sailor Timothy Sullivan (1836-1909); and numerous war veterans and local pioneers.
Historic Texas Cemetery-2001
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