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Texas
| Counties
NOLAN COUNTY,
TEXAS
32°
18' 36" N, 100° 24' 0" W (32.31, -100.4) |
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Nolan County
History
Historical
Marker:
(Courthouse Square, Broadway Street, Sweetwater)
NOLAN COUNTY
Nomadic Indians crossed this region before Anglo-American pioneers
arrived here in the 1870's. The first settlers were buffalo hunters
such as I.S. (Tuck) Focht, who later became a rancher and businessman,
and cattlemen such as confederate veteran John R. Lewis.
Created in 1876, Nolan County was one of 54 countries carved from
Bexar Territory. It was named for Philip
Nolan (1771-1801), an Irish-born adventurer who came to Texas
to capture wild horses and was killed in a skirmish with Spanish soldiers.
Sweetwater, a small settlement that had grown up around a general
store, was awarded the county's first post office in March 1879. It
was also named the county seat when Nolan County was organized in
January 1881. Sweetwater moved 2 miles northwest to its present location
on the Texas & Pacific Rail Line in April 1881. It became an important
rail center when the Kansas City, Mexico & Orient and later the Santa
Fe Railroad also routed their track through the town.
The economy of Nolan County is based on cattle
and sheep ranching; cotton
and feed grain crops; and gypsum, line, and petroleum production.
The population of the county increased from 640 in 1880 to 16,220
in the 1970 census.
(1975)
Texas Centennial Marker:
(on US Hwy 80/84, 1.8 miles E of Sweetwater)
NOLAN COUNTY
Formed from Young and Bexar Territories.
Created August 21, 1876,
organized January 10, 1881.
Named in honor of Philip
Nolan, pioneer and scout who explored Texas in 1800. Murdered
by the Spaniards in March 1801.
Sweetwater,
the county seat. |
Nolan County
Town List
Cities, Towns &
Ghost Towns: History, attractions, landmarks, architecture, monuments,
museums, cemeteries, bridges, parks, vintage & contemporary images,
area destinations, hotels,
and forum.
County Seat - Sweetwater
Book Hotel Here - Sweetwater
Hotels |
Nolan County
Vintage Maps
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From 1907 Texas
state map #2090 showing Nolan County
Courtesy
Texas General Land Office |
From 1920 Texas
state map #10749 showing Nolan County
Courtesy
Texas General Land Office |
From 1940 Texas
state map #4335 showing Nolan County
Courtesy Texas General Land Office |
Nolan County
historical marker
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, March 2017 |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories
and recent/vintage/historic photos, please contact
us. |
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