Warrenton, Texas, Fayette County. (original) (raw)
G.A. Ahlrich Store, 1930
Courtesy Fayette Co Hist Comm; submitted by Carolyn Heinsohn FCHC member
Warrenton Antiquing
Part of the Round Top Antiques Fair, Warrenton has become a Mecca for antique hunters in the Spring and Fall (last weekends in March and September, and first weekends in April and October).
While other "Antique Capital" towns around Texas have become something of eyesores, Warrenton has managed to stay neat and has even improved, despite the amount of traffic it receives.
The Wilhelm Neese House in Warrenton
Photo courtesy Gerald Massey, July 2011
History in a Pecan Shell
William Neese was a German who came to Galveston in 1847. He moved into the area and bought the property in 1854. He ran stores, built a cotton gin and became the first postmaster. The town was nearly called Neeseville. Warren Ligon was Neese's neighbor and when the time came to officially name the town, each wanted it named after the other. Thankfully they decided in Ligon's favor and then defied convention by using his first name, otherwise we'd be writing about Ligonburg.
The Neese Home, (131 years after it was built) remains Warrenton's finest. As beautiful as it is, it has a tragic story. Neese built it for his family who watched the construction from their rather primitive cabin. Just a few years after its completion, William Neese was killed by a burgler in his store. Neese is buried in the Drawe Cemetery near Warrenton.
Just ten years before Neese's arrival, the land's original owner John Robison had been killed by Indians about one mile from where the house sits today. John Robison's son Joel, captured General/ President Santa Anna at San Jacinto and later became good friends with Neese.
By the power vested in him�. ( Although it has little to do with Warrenton, we include the story of Santa Anna's Vest here since it became a well-used artifact throughout the region. ) Some time after the battle and several miles away from San Jacinto, Santa Annawas caught. He first denied being an officer, but when he was brought into camp, the other Mexican soldiers saluted him as Senor Presidente, which sort of blew his cover. It may not have happened - but it's a great story.
Joel allowed Santa Anna (who was captured on foot), to ride behind him for the several miles it took to bring him to Sam Houston (where everyone posed for that famous painting). In return for this kindness, Santa Anna gave Joel his red and gold Generalisimo's Vest.
For years, up until it disappeared, the vest was worn by many local bridegrooms and dignitaries for weddings and special occasions. It must've made for an interesting "show and tell" at the Warrenton school.
A ruin in front of the Wilhelm Neese House
Photo courtesy Gerald Massey, July 2011
Warrenton Old Photos
Ahlrich Store, circa 1900
Courtesy Fayette Co Hist Comm; submitted by Carolyn Heinsohn FCHC member
Hauling sugar cane to the molasses press at George Ilse Gin, - 1930
Courtesy Fayette Co Hist Comm; submitted by Carolyn Heinsohn FCHC member
� John Troesser
Sources:
Fayette County: Past and Pesent, 1976, Majorie L. Williams, Editor; &
Hill Country by Richard Zelade, Gulf Publishing, 1999.
Nearby Destinations: On FM 1291 and 237
South 9 miles to La Grange
East 8 miles to Fayetteville
North 5 miles to Round Top
Fayette County 1920s map
From Texas state map #10749
Courtesy Texas General Land Office
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