Fairview, Texas, Wilson County. (original) (raw)

History in a Pecan Shell

Settlement began around the late 1850s in this predominately German/ Polish region of Texas. The local landmark of the �Old Rock Church� was once the site of vigilante trials, headed by Charles Westermann and Drake Gilliland.

A post office was granted by 1868, and with this anchor, the town started growing. In the early 1890s, the population was still a modest 100, but the residents were serviced by no less than three general stores and essential businesses.

By the mid 1890s, the community had built a school. Sixty-seven students were taught by two teachers. In 1908 mail was routed through Floresville and the Fairview post office closed. The town entered into a decline even before the Great Depression and shortly after WWII there were only 50 residents to give their names to the census enumerator.

Fairview�s decline has been reversed in recent years and by 1990 it had increased to 322 people, served by several businesses and two churches. The same number of people appear on the 2006 state map.

Fairview historical marker on FM 536 & 2505
Photo courtesy Sarah Reveley, , March 2008

Historical Marker:

Fairview

Near this crossroads was once the flourishing community of Fairview. The village began shortly after the Civil War, when Henry Hudson opened a store on the Old Oakville Road. A post office was established in the store in 1868. Fairview grew to include homes, churches, doctors' offices, a blacksmith shop, cotton gin, public school, Masonic Lodge, and telephone exchange. The area's economy was based on agriculture, and the main crop was cotton. The advent of the boll weevil and other pests which attacked the cotton crop played a large part in the eventual decline of the town following World War I.

Fairview was the hometown of twenty-seven Texas peace officers, including twenty Texas Rangers. Among the Rangers was Frank Hamer (1884-1955), who is best remembered for his role in pursuing notorious Depression-era outlaws Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow.

Still remaining and in use in the area is the Fairview Cemetery, originally called the Rock Church Cemetery due to its position next to a Methodist church built in the 1870s. With grave markers dating from the 1860s, it is one of the few remaining physical reminders of the town.

(1988)

Historical Marker (on FM 2505, S of Fairview):

Fairview Methodist Church

Organized before 1876, holding services in schoolhouse until building site was given by W. F. and Jennie Mitchell and J. F. and Martha Prewitt. A small red rock meeting house was built, serving until wrecked by tropical storm in 1886. In 1891, during pastorate of the Rev. A. J. King, the members built a frame structure, which in turn was wrecked by a storm in 1942. Out of the ruins, third building was constructed in 1943.

Fairview congregation merged with Floresville church in 1955.

Memorial services are held each year at Fairview Cemetery.

(1972)

Grenade Drake Gilliland
The Gilliland ranch was about 2 miles down the road from Fairview

Texas Rangers Herf Carnes and Pat Craighead

Wilson County 1907 Postal Map showing Fairview as Fair View
From Texas state map #2090
Courtesy Texas General Land Office

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