Hackberry, Texas, Lavaca County ghost town. (original) (raw)

Hackberry is not now shown on the current Official State Highway Map, but was as late as 1992. It was originally named after a nearby grove of hackberry trees.

	The upper level of the Neuhaus Store Photo courtesy of Murray Montgomery, January 2004

History in a Pecan Shell

L.E. Neuhaus was the original settler in 1847. He was a farmer until he opened a steam gristmill in 1853. The Post Office came into being in 1862 and three years later Neuhaus built a store. This store which had a second story added to it in 1880 is pictured above.

German immigration to the area increased in the 1860s and Neuhaus' property served as a sort of way station between Indianola or Galveston and the more inland German settlements in Gillespie, Comal and Blanco counties. According to Hallettsville Historian Doug Kubicek, in one case a brother-sister made the journey from Germany to Galveston and Hackberry, without speaking English, with only their destination pinned to their clothing.

Today the swifts nest in the rafters of the old, beautifully preserved building. The Neuhaus Haus sits to the east of the store.

Site of former St John's Lutheran Church South Of Hackberry
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, December 2006

Andrews Chapel Cemetery Marker
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, December 2006

Hackberry Chronicles

The life and times of F.W. Neuhaus by Murray Montgomery

In 1907, the Hallettsville Herald was doing a series of articles on the leading citizens of Lavaca County..., and Mr. Neuhaus was the subject of one of them. When that newspaper sketch appeared in the Herald, Neuhaus was alive and well living at home in Hackberry...

Hackberry, Texas Forum

• Subject: Hackberry
  I want to thank you for the info on Hackberry. As it turns out I too am related to LE Neuhaus through the WT Carter family. As I was reading through our voluminous family history I read that L.E. Neuhaus came to the US aboard the Talisman in October 1846 arriving in December of the same year. In 1848 L.E. bought 1,150 acres of land from none other than Steve Austin. It was on this spot that he founded the town of Hackberry. I was told the reason why Hackberry never grew to size was that the main line of the railroad passed it by. I would be interested to know if this bit of information is true. Best regards and thanks again - Chris Carter, March 04, 2006
• I just found your site and the information and photos you have of Hackberry, Texas. Hackberry was first settled by my great-great grandfather L.E. Neuhaus. His son Franz Carl Ludwig Neuhaus (Charley) built and lived in the house to the right of the store as you face the front (east?)
  My husband and I are in the process of restoring my great-grandfather's house as we speak. I thought I'd send a "before" picture and an "almost done". Progress continues.

	Photo courtesy Sarah Neuhaus Hastings, 2004

	Photo courtesy Sarah Neuhaus Hastings, August 2004

We feel so blessed to have been able to "buy back" the family property and restore the fine house that holds so much history for us. Thank you for your coverage of our family's little ghost town. - Sincerely, Sarah Neuhaus Hastings, August 10, 2004

Hackberry 1919 USGS map
Click on image to enlarge
Courtesy Gregory Phillips

Texas Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories, landmarks and vintage/historic photos, please contact us.