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| 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. |
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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...
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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.
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Photo
courtesy Sarah Neuhaus Hastings, 2004 |
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Photo
courtesy Sarah Neuhaus Hastings, August 2004 |
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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
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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. |
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