Texas County, largest of Missouri’s 114 counties, comprises 1179 square miles of
Ozark Highland. With the same name as the second largest of the fifty states, it
exceeds the smallest, Rhode Island.
When formed in 1843, it was named for the first
lieutenant governor of Missouri, William H. Ashley, but when formally organized on
February 14, 1845, it was renamed for the Republic of Texas.
A seat of justice for
the county was laid out in 1846 near the center of the county on Brushy Creek and
named Houston for the first president of the Texas Republic. The present courthouse,
built in 1932, is the county’s sixth. It was remodeled in 1977 and again in 2007.
The Texas County Justice Center built in 2007-08 is greatly appreciated.
Rugged hills,
springs, creeks, rivers and caves abound in Texas County. The Indians were here
in 1826. There have been many mounds found in the County as proof of Indian inhabitants.
Indian paintings remain upon various bluffs over ancient campsites. The area was
part of the 1808 Osage Indian land cession.
Pioneers came to Texas County in the 1820’s
from Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and the Carolinas and set up sawmills along the
Big Piney River. With plenty of water and among the pine timber, pioneers made a
nice income rafting the timber down the Piney River toward St. Louis, Missouri. Some
48,000 acres in the north and northwest part of the county is now part of the Mark
Twain National Forest, along with several acres in the southeast part of the county
being part of the Ozark National Scenic River ways Park. They homesteaded the fertile
valleys and soon log cabins dotted various parts of the country. Small family farms
are still a major part of the landscape of the county. The population of the first
Federal Census of Texas County in 1850 was 2,312 citizens. Life of the pioneer was
happy and carefree, he knew nothing of food shortage, for he raised his own provisions,
and with his trusty gun he could shoot various wild game. He hunted, trapped and
sold furs to traveling buyers. Livestock was limited to razorback hogs and a few
chickens. Horses were few and nearly everyone possessed a yoke of oxen. Farming
has changed over the years. In the early 1900’s farmers grew crops such as corn,
wheat, oats, hay, a few cattle, hogs, etc. The 1990’s found us to be a beef and
dairy county along with the production of feeder pigs.
The Civil War period was a
time of turmoil in Texas County. The populace was predominantly southern. The courthouse
was occupied during the war by the Union Army as headquarters. Houston was an important
place on the route from federal headquarters in Springfield to headquarters in Rolla.
Some skirmishes were fought here. Confederate soldiers, stormed the town, burning
every building. Before the courthouse burnt, the Confederate loaded up all the county
records, hauled them to a cave on Arthurs Creek, and kept them there; returning all
the books safely, after the conflict was over.
Early social activities were confined
to church going when a preacher came to the community. Among the younger set, the
amusements were old time hoedowns, candy pulling, corn husking, barn warming, quilting
bees, and log rolling. Arts and crafts have and continue to enter into the lives
of many. People still gather for church activities, auctions, musicals, square dancing
and sports of all kind. Like the early pioneers today fishing and floating our rivers
are very much a part of living in Texas County. Hunting is still enjoyed by many
and county is one of the leading counties statewide for deer and turkey.
Education
has always been very important to Texas County residents. No longer do we have the
hundred plus rural one room school houses. Students are transported to one of the
ten school districts serving the county for their education. College courses are
offered in our towns and communities.
Incorporated communities include the Cities
of Cabool, Houston, and Licking, part of the Cities of Summersville, part of Mountain
Grove, the Village of Raymondville and the Village of Plato. The 2000 Federal Census
of Texas County was 23,003 citizens. The present 23,556 people are enjoying the
Ozarks.
Texas County with its generally mild climate has become a place many people
come to retire. With its rural environment, fine education systems, good churches,
great hunting and fishing, community spirit, businesses that employ our citizens
in Texas County are a different breed, the friendliest and caring people in God’s
universe.