|
G.A. Ahlrich
Store, 1930
Courtesy
Fayette Co Hist Comm; submitted by Carolyn
Heinsohn FCHC member |
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 Anna was 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 |
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 |
| 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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