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"A story about
Live Oak County
would not be complete without Cuba in it." - Mr. Mahoney of Three
Rivers
History
in a Pecan Shell
The following
facts and the above quote are taken from the History of Live Oak County.
It is not known what the community of Cuba was called
prior to 1898. That was the year the Spanish American War began (and
ended). Towns all over America were renamed as a patriotic tide swept
over the nation. Cuba, and Havana
were, by far, the most favored names.
Being a ghost town, it's now safe to discuss Cuba's less-than-saintly
reputation. One particular incident highlighted in the Live Oak County
history mentions a daughter-in-law breaking her wooden bucket over
the head of her father-in-law at the town well. Cuban-Texans were
known to be a feisty lot.
Another black mark for the town came about when two soldiers who had
volunteered for the "Cuban War" returned with a particular ailment
called the Cuban "Itch." While it was originally contracted in official
Cuba - it quickly gained a reputation in Live
Oak County and its origin was transferred to the town.
The third thing Cuba, Texas is noted for was baseball. Alex McKinney
and R.W. Burks are credited with forming the "Cuban Nine" - a notorious
baseball team. |
Cuba,
Texas Forum
In Collis Sellman's
book From Acorns... to Live Oaks -- A History of Live Oak County,
Page 32 :
Cuba - Eight or 10 miles east of the Nueces River was a community
of farmers and ranchers who picked their name in 1898 following the
Spanish American War, sometimes called the Cuban War. Veterans returning
to the area were said to have the Cuban itch. Cuba's claim to fame
was that it had the first baseball team. - Mary R. Johnson, Museum
Director of Live Oak County, September 13, 2003 |
| 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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