Nolan County Texas. (original) (raw)
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Nolan County History
Historical Marker:
(Courthouse Square, Broadway Street, Sweetwater)
NOLAN COUNTY
Nomadic Indians crossed this region before Anglo-American pioneers arrived here in the 1870's. The first settlers were buffalo hunters such as I.S. (Tuck) Focht, who later became a rancher and businessman, and cattlemen such as confederate veteran John R. Lewis.
Created in 1876, Nolan County was one of 54 countries carved from Bexar Territory. It was named for Philip Nolan (1771-1801), an Irish-born adventurer who came to Texas to capture wild horses and was killed in a skirmish with Spanish soldiers. Sweetwater, a small settlement that had grown up around a general store, was awarded the county's first post office in March 1879. It was also named the county seat when Nolan County was organized in January 1881. Sweetwater moved 2 miles northwest to its present location on the Texas & Pacific Rail Line in April 1881. It became an important rail center when the Kansas City, Mexico & Orient and later the Santa Fe Railroad also routed their track through the town.
The economy of Nolan County is based on cattle and sheep ranching; cotton and feed grain crops; and gypsum, line, and petroleum production. The population of the county increased from 640 in 1880 to 16,220 in the 1970 census.
(1975)
Texas Centennial Marker:
(on US Hwy 80/84, 1.8 miles E of Sweetwater) NOLAN COUNTY
Formed from Young and Bexar Territories.
Created August 21, 1876,
organized January 10, 1881.
Named in honor of Philip Nolan, pioneer and scout who explored Texas in 1800. Murdered by the Spaniards in March 1801.
Sweetwater, the county seat.
Nolan County Town List
Cities, Towns & Ghost Towns: History, attractions, landmarks, architecture, monuments, museums, cemeteries, bridges, parks, vintage & contemporary images, area destinations, hotels, and forum.
County Seat - Sweetwater
Book Hotel Here - Sweetwater Hotels
Nolan County Vintage Maps
From 1907 Texas state map #2090 showing Nolan County
Courtesy Texas General Land Office
From 1920 Texas state map #10749 showing Nolan County
Courtesy Texas General Land Office
From 1940 Texas state map #4335 showing Nolan County
Courtesy Texas General Land Office
Nolan County historical marker
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, March 2017
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