|
| 1935-37
Photo courtesy Maria Grijalva |
History in
a Pecan Shell
It seems pretty
far north for property related to the King Ranch, but indeed, it was
Mifflin Kenedy who bought this land in 1886 in anticipation
of the soon-to-arrive San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railroad. It was,
of course, named after him. Kenedy is acknowledged as the “chief benefactor”
of the SAAP railroad. The name Kenedy Junction was applied
in June of 1887 but the name was shortened just three months later.
Kenedy Junction had a Y, splitting railroad traffic to either Houston
or Corpus
Christi. A larger depot was built which included a railroad hotel
– officially known as the Railroad Hotel. The establishment also included
a restaurant for the convenience of travelers.
As Kenedy waxed, nearby Daileyville waned and the post office of the
shrinking town was transferred to Kenedy – operating temporarily under
the roof of the Railroad Hotel.
German farmers from Fayette
County transmigrated into the new territory, and W. E. Thulemeyer,
is credited with being the agent. It was Thulemeyer who built the
first cotton gin in 1891.
An independent school district was organized in the 1890s and in 1908
a three-story school was constructed.
Kenedy incorporated in 1910 with a population of 1,147. Kenedy was
one of several towns in Texas to be known
as “Six-shooter Junction.” The reputation appears to have come from
salon patrons who saluted passing trains – or showed off their wealth
by wasting ammunition.
Hot mineral water was conveniently discovered near the railroad station
and hotel in 1915 which gave the town an economic boost, and the town
also held claim to one of the largest cotton compresses in Texas.
The Kenedy Alien Detention Camp, opened during the war, holding
Germans, Italians, and Japanese diplomats and their dependants from
South American counties.
The town of Kenedy claims the title of "Flax capital of Texas."
Since the general public isn’t quite sure of exactly what flax is
– the annual Flax Festival was discontinued. The less confusing Blue
Bonnet Days became the annual event – and is held each April.
Kenedy now plays host to the John Connally Unit of the Texas Department
of Corrections. |
Kenedy, Texas
Landmarks / Attractions
with
Vintage & Contemporary Images |
| "The Karnes
County Airport not only services aircraft, but is known across Texas
as 'the place' to have your aircraft painted." - Ken
Rudine, August 2007 |
| "Entering
the city on 181 from the south, this is the beginning of hilly country."
- Ken
Rudine, August 2007. |
"The last
9 years or so have not been kind to this once splendid example of
a gas station in Kendedy."
- Barclay-Gibson,
September 2011 photo
More Texas Gas
Stations |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact
us. |
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