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History
in a Pecan Shell
Annie T. Hamilton paid the San Antonio, Uvalde and Gulf Railroad to
build a depot on her land in 1913. Her money bought her the immortality
of having the town named Hamiltonburg. Her immortality was short-lived,
however, when mail was frequently sent in error to Hamilton,
Texas. The mail-receiving residents of Hamiltonburg wanted a new
name - and fast. Charles R. Tips who had sold parcels of land for
the townsite, suggested the town be named for its location near the
three Rivers of Atascosa, Frio, and Nueces.
The new name was in effect on May 1, 1914 and we have been unable
to find a record of Annie Hamilton's reaction.
In 1920 natural gas was discovered, piped into town and soon a refinery
and a glass factory were built. The glass factory was closed in 1938
but the refinery today now belongs to Valero (formerly Diamond Shamrock)
and is the town's major employer. In 1925 the population was estimated
at 1,000 and it slowly increased by 1965 to 1,932 and later to 2,177
by 1988.
The building of a dam produced Choke Canyon Lake. The town has been
flooded at least once. and only recently (2003) has the theater downtown
reopened after being totally restored.
See Three Rivers Historical
Marker |
Three Rivers,
Texas
Landmarks & Attractions
Historical Markers
& Photo Gallery |
Photographer's
Note:
One of the three rivers in Three Rivers. I didn't see the alligator
sign until I was walking off!! - Sarah
Reveley, January 2010 |
The Rialto Theatre
Only recently (2003) has the theater downtown reopened after being
totally restored.
Photo
courtesy Barclay Gibson, August 2011
More Texas Theatres |
Selena mural
in Three Rivers, 11 miles north of George
West.
TE Photo, 2004 |
Bottom of Dr
Pepper bottle made at the Three Rivers Glass plant.
Photo courtesy Will
Beauchamp, 2009 |
Photographer's
Note:
The Three Rivers Glass Factory made soda bottles for hundreds of bottling
companies across Texas and surrounding states. Most found have the
mark 3 RIVERS* or 3R* on bottom or on the heel. - Will
Beauchamp |
Three Rivers
Glass Factory
Historical Marker
Photo courtesy Will
Beauchamp, 2009 |
Three Rivers
Historical Marker on the town square on US 281
Photo courtesy Will
Beauchamp, 2009 |
>Historical
Marker
Three Rivers
Founded March 1913
by Charles R. Tips. An investor chartered June 12, 1913, as Hamiltonburg--named
for local family. Town lot sale began July 4, 1913. Townsite renamed
by U.S. Postal Department May 1, 1914, to mark fork of three rivers--Nueces,
Atascosa and Frio. Present interests are ranching, farming, gas, oil
and recreation. |
Three Rivers,
Texas Chronicles
Twin
Towns
by Mike Cox
"The Hamiltonburg post office got mail intended for Hamilton,
in Hamilton County, and vice versa. In 1914, the Post Office Department
complained about the similar town names. Hamilton being long-established,
the onus fell on Hamiltonburg to come up with a different name.
Citizens circulated a petition proposing that the year-old town
be named Tips in honor of developer Charles Tips, but Tips modestly
declined. Instead, he proposed a name based on the local geography.
Since the Atascosa, Frio and Nueces Rivers converged nearby, he
suggested, why not call our town Three Rivers? That handle
suited the townsfolk and made it unscathed through the federal bureaucracy.
With the stroke of some government worker’s pen, Hamiltonburg became
a place with a much more evocative name. An added bonus: The name
gave the impression that the place had plenty of water, helpful
for business development."
The
Anatomically Incorrect Cowboy Silhouette
by Brewster Hudspeth
One Bar -Two Dimensions
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Federal Prison
sign
TE Photo, 2004 |
Three
Rivers, Texas Forum
Subject:
Three Rivers History
I am from there and I believe the last flood there was in the
1967 after hurricane Beulah. In the 1980's (I believe it was the
80's...it could have started in the late 70's) a levee was built
around the city to keep it from flooding again. Also Diamond Shamrock
is now Valero. Just a few things I wanted to point out. All in all
I really enjoy this website...great work! Thanks, Stacy Meeks, Austin,
December 15, 2005
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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. |
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