Shiner
Texas
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Historic Old Town Shiner
Our Mission is to protect, enhance, and interpret Shiner's history, culture, and natural attractions, and to promote the Shiner community as a heritage tourism destination.
History:
The first settlers to our area were German and Czech farmers, who arrived in 1884. They settled under a liveoak knoll called Half Moon, after its earlier name as an Indian campsite.
In 1867, Henry B. Shiner came to Lavaca County and began a cattle-raising operation. He drove cattle from Texas to Kansas.With the profits of his business, he purchased 8000 acres of land.
In 1887, the SAAP Railroad began laying track from Yoakum to Waco; Mr. Shiner donated 250 acres of choice land for railroad right-of-way. The first train came through in August 1887. With plans to take advantage of the railroad, Half-Moon settlers, ¾ miles away, moved to the new site. On March 1, 1888, the new townsite officially became known as Shiner, after its benefactor.
By the end of 1887, the great cattle drives were coming to an end and the new "king" was cotton. The Oil Mill and Manufacturing Company was established in 1896. The town began to boom as 5 gins , the oil mill and its machine shop, the compress, all located in close proximity, gave Shiner a very effective handling of the cotton industry.
History:
The first settlers to our area were German and Czech farmers, who arrived in 1884. They settled under a liveoak knoll called Half Moon, after its earlier name as an Indian campsite.
In 1867, Henry B. Shiner came to Lavaca County and began a cattle-raising operation. He drove cattle from Texas to Kansas.With the profits of his business, he purchased 8000 acres of land.
In 1887, the SAAP Railroad began laying track from Yoakum to Waco; Mr. Shiner donated 250 acres of choice land for railroad right-of-way. The first train came through in August 1887. With plans to take advantage of the railroad, Half-Moon settlers, ¾ miles away, moved to the new site. On March 1, 1888, the new townsite officially became known as Shiner, after its benefactor.
By the end of 1887, the great cattle drives were coming to an end and the new "king" was cotton. The Oil Mill and Manufacturing Company was established in 1896. The town began to boom as 5 gins , the oil mill and its machine shop, the compress, all located in close proximity, gave Shiner a very effective handling of the cotton industry.