Zavala, Texas, aka Muster Point, Texas, Jasper County ghost town. (original) (raw)

History in a Pecan Shell

Founded in 1834 and named for Lorenzo de Zavala, the man to whom the land was originally granted. But when the town was platted, Thomas B. Huling was holding the deed. The town was dependent on the Angelina River for its economy and it served as the seat of government for Bevil's Settlement. There was some 30 or 40 families living in the region.

Zavala was incorporated on Christmas Eve, 1838, by an act of the Republic of Texas. A courthouse was built; and a post office was in operation in 1839.

Despite being a tireless booster, Mr. Huling failed to recruit enough residents to insure growth. Then in the 1840s the town suffered a fire that destroyed the courthouse, many homes, and almost all records.

Huling sold most of his holdings to businessman Jerich Durkee of London, England, in 1847. Huling received $1,000 cash and 5,000 "tin boxes of Green Mountain Vegitable [sic] Ointment." The story of Mr. Huling ends here - and the reader is left not knowing if he was able to turn his "Vegitable Ointment" into cash.

Zavala declined despite efforts of Durkee to entice immigrants to settle here. The post office closed by 1856, although it continued to be shown on Jasper County's records as late as 1878.

In 1936 a marker was erected at Hamilton's Cemetery to remember the former town.

Zavala, Texas Centennial Marker
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, May 2012

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