Floresville, Texas, Wilson county seat. (original) (raw)
North Commerce St., Floresville, Postmarked 1908
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Postcard courtesy Dan Whatley Collection
History in a Pecan Shell Canary Island immigrant Don Francisco Flores de Abrego is credited with founding the town in the 18th century. Don Francisco's ranch (six miles NW of present Floresville) was essentially the center of things in the 1830s since the chapel and cemetery were on his property. The community was later called Lodi and under that name it served as the county seat from 1867 to March 1871, and from July 1871 to 1873.
When, in 1867, the town of Floresville (named after a local family) was founded, the city limits include what had been Lodi. The town was platted in the early 1870s.
A post office was granted in 1872 and the town was made county seat the following year.
Things really got rolling in 1883, with the announcement of the impending arrival of the San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railroad. Floresville was thriving in 1885 with a population of 400, stores, hotels and a weekly newspaper.
In 1890 when the population had reached 1,500, the town decided to incorporate. Growth slowed somewhat, the population only increasing to 1,800 by 1910.
From a population of 1,581 in 1931, it doubled by 1965. In 1990 it reached 5,414 in 1990. The city's proximity allows a relative easy commute to San Antonio.
"Peanut Capital of Texas"
Peanut production started with the introduction of irrigation by grower Andrew G. Pickett. The town promoted itself as "Peanut Capital of Texas" although many other counties surpass the Wilson County production.
Since 1938 Floresville has had an annual Peanut Festival and a cement peanut on the courthouse lawn provides a photo-op for tourists.
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Photographers Note:
"Lodi was located right on the SW edge of present day Floresville on Trial Drive/CR 536. The railroad used to pass right through it. Apparently the settlement of Lodi shared the Floresville Depot as the Lodi historical marker is directly across the road from the depot." - Barclay Gibson
More Texas Depots
Abandoned tower in Floresville
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, March 2008
Floresville People and Stories:
- Pedro Gonzalez-Gonzalez
A Guy So Nice - They Named Him Twice
Almost literally "born in a trunk" - Pedro Gonzalez-Gonzalez entered the world in Aquilares, Texas (now considered a ghost town) in 1926. His mother was a dancer from Mexico and his father was a trumpet player from Floresville, Texas. Mrs. Gonzalez performed under the stage name "La Perla Fronteriza" (Pearl of the Frontier" and reportedly once danced for Francisco "Poncho" Villa and his troops during one or another of the Mexican Revolutions. ... more - Sundays in Floresville During the 30's by Lois Zook Wauson
- Moon shines bright over Wilson County by Lois Zook Wauson
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